Hope Powell was left frustrated after Albion’s bid for a top-six finish in the WSL suffered a blow with a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United.
Leah Galton’s second-half goal proved decisive at the Leigh Sports Village after a resilient display by the visitors.
“I felt we deserved to get something from a game which we put so much into,” said Powell.
“First half we were perhaps a little bit too deep, but we pushed up in the second half and at the end we had a lot of pressure and we might have got a goal.
“The goal was a bit fortunate as it took a deflection and without that Katie [Startup] might have reached it but I can’t fault our effort or commitment.”
Among four changes, Powell gave only a second WSL start to Swedish midfielder Julia Zigiotti, who joined the club in January.
“Julia has had to get used to the intensity and physicality of the league but she deserved a start and she showed her quality,” added Powell. “The more she gets used to the demands the more we will see what a top player she can be.
“We also gave some minutes to Maisie [Symonds] and Libby [Bance] because I feel it’s important to give the young players minutes to help their development.”