Baggies condemned to defeat at Hartlepool
ALBION's Premier League 2 side slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough at Hartlepool's bitterly cold Northern Gas and Power Stadium.
Marcus Tavernier put the hosts into the lead in the first five minutes, driving the ball low past Jack Rose after being teed up by Junior Mondal.
The Baggies were pushed back but defended resolutely before skipper Jack Fitzwater was forced off through injury.
And Boro doubled their lead soon after when Fewster pounced on a soft back-pass and slotted home.
Kyle Edwards gave the Baggies a lifeline with a stunning strike in the 60th minute, firing into the top corner from the edge of the area.
And the goal really gave James Shan's side a lift as they dominated the early exchanges of the second period.
But unfortunately Albion couldn't find an equaliser and suffered a harsh defeat.
ALBION: Rose, Jones, Fitzwater (c) (Nabi 42), Howkins (Artymatas 45), Melbourne, O'Shea, Sweeney, Harper, Dool, Edwards (Pierce 75), Forss.
Subs: House, Wilding.
Booked: Jones, O'Shea.
Middlesbrough: Pears, Johnson, McGoldrick, Elsdon, Torrajon (Coulson 72), Maloney, Tavernier, Wheatley (c), Fewster, Pattison, Mondal.
Subs: Soisalo, Coulson, Renton, O'Neill, Hemming.