Albion under-21s were beaten 2-1 at National League Eastleigh in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Zak Emmerson gave Albion a first half lead, but the hosts responded just before the hour mark through Aaron Martin and Tristan Abrahams.
Former Newport County and Carlisle United forward Abrahams gave Albion an early scare when his free-kick from 25 yards flew narrowly wide of James Beadle’s goal.
Christian Maghoma headed wide from Jake Hesketh’s corner as the Spitfires ramped up the pressure, but Albion found the breakthrough after 30 minutes, with Emmerson showing his poacher’s instincts when he poked home from close range.
Eastleigh responded in the second half though with a quickfire double.
Ryan Hill and Vincent Harper had gone close for the hosts, but Martin equalised for his side as he headed in from Corey Panter’s free-kick, before Abrahams tapped home from Charlie Carter’s low ball across the face of goal.
Jensen Weir forced in Joe McDonnell into a smart save with just under ten minutes to play, before Panter nearly put the game to bed with a fine strike from a free-kick, but his effort hit the side netting.
Andrew Crofts’s team round off their pre-season against Aston Villa on Friday in a behind closed doors friendly.
Albion first half XI: Beadle, Packham, Tsoungui, Kavanagh, Furlong, Chouchane, Hinchy, Miller, Moran, Peupion, Emmerson.
Second half XI: Cahill, Turns, Offiah, Nilsson, Weir, Jenks, Shann, Spong, Clark, Baker-Boaitey, Ifill.