Albion's under-23s lost 3-2 to AFC Bournemouth in their final pre-season game staged at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre on Wednesday.
The Seagulls trailed 3-0 with 15 minutes to go, but fought back with goals from substitutes Stefan Vukoje and Jack Spong, but despite late pressure they couldn’t force an equaliser.
The hosts found themselves two down after 12 minutes including a penalty.
Albion pushed for a way back and Jensen Weir had a shot saved, while Teddy Jenks and Antef Tsongui also went close. Striker Danny Cashman had a strong penalty appeal turned down just before the break.
Alex Cochrane was first to threaten in the second half when he latched onto a great cross-field pass by Tsoungui and surged forward, but his shot was well-saved by the Cherries keeper.
Bournemouth stretched their lead midway through the second half, and by then the home side had made eight changes.
Vukoje pounced on a poor clearance to make it 3-1 with a low effort inside the left-hand post, before Spong met a cross from James Furlong with a downward header past the keeper for 3-2.
Ben Wilson had a goal disallowed for offside and Lars Dendoncker went very close with a late header but the visitors held on.
Albion now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy and next Tuesday’s first group stage game against Leyton Orient at the Breyer Group Stadium in six days time.
Albion line-up: Rushworth (Desbois 70), Packham (Tanimowo 62), Cochrane (Furlong 62), Crofts (Leonard 62), Tsoungui (Kazukolovas 62), Dendoncker, Yapi (Vukoje 45), Jenks (Spong 62), Cashman (Wilson 62), Weir, Gwargis.