Second-half goals from Todd Miller and Cam Peupion weren’t enough for Albion’s under-23s, as they went down 3-2 to West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Miller made it 1-1 just after the break and Peupion got Albion back into the game after the hosts had scored two goals in four minutes to establish a 3-1 advantage.
Albion kept pushing but couldn’t find a way through again and they stay ninth in the Premier League 2 table.
One positive for Albion was the return of Enock Mwepu in midfield for the first 45 minutes after the Zambian spent the best part of two months out with a hamstring injury.
After a quiet start West Ham opened the scoring in the tenth minute. Pierre Ekwah picked up possession 25 yards out, took a couple of paces and then whipped a powerful right-foot shot across the helpless Tom McGill and into the far corner. It was a wonderful strike.
West Ham carried the greater attacking threat for much of the first half, although McGill was only seriously tested again when he blocked Sonny Perkins’ low drive with his legs.
The hosts funneled men behind the ball whenever Albion probed patiently for an opening but it took until first-half stoppage time before they created a clear opening.
Mwepu’s lovely pass down the right was perfectly weighted for Peupion to run onto and hit a first-time shot which keeper Krisztian Hegyi clawed acrobatically over the bar.
Mwepu made way for Samy Chouchane at the break and Albion levelled seven minutes after the break when Miller cut in from the left and curled a right-foot shot beyond Hegyi and inside the far post.
Six minutes later Hegyi made an unconventional but effective save with his legs to keep out Ed Turns’ shot and moments after that the Hammers were back in front. Emmanuel Longely got away down the left and his cross was met by substitute Thierry Nevers, who lifted the ball over McGill into an empty net.
West Ham made it 3-1 in the 64th minute after capitalising on some uncertain defending. Albion failed to clear a ball in from the left and it was eventually bundled home by Kamarai Simon-Swyer.
Albion didn’t give up and with 13 minutes to go Peupion, who had been a threat all night, fired through a crowded box from 12 yards to make it 3-2.
West Ham defended in numbers to protect their advantage and despite seeing plenty of the ball in the closing stages the visitors couldn’t break through again, although Haydon Roberts headed straight at the keeper on the stretch with virtually the last action of the game.
Albion: McGill, Offiah (Moran 60), Turns, Roberts, Furlong, Leonard, Mwepu (Chouchane 45), Spong, Peupion, Miller, Ella (Wilson 75).
Subs not used: Sturge, Beadle.