ALBION's PL2 side were defeated 1-0 by Middlesbrough thanks to Hayden Coulson's second half strike.
Finn Azaz went closest for the Baggies in the first half when his effort drifted wide, and the away side almost took the lead just before the break when George Miller's header came back off the crossbar.
Middlesbrough then hit the woodwork again after 66 minutes through Amadou Sylla's looping cross.
With 15 minutes to go Boro went in front when the ball broke to Coulson, and his powerful shot flew past Alex Palmer into the back of the net.
Albion went close to equalising with 80 minutes on the clock when Zak Brown volleyed over, and the home side were aggrieved not to have been given a penalty when Tahvon Campbell seemed to be brought down inside the area.
Despite four minutes of added time, the league leaders managed to hold on and claim all three points.
ALBION: Palmer, Melbourne, Ferguson, Hunt (Tulloch 82), Jameson (c), Soleman (Clayton-Phillips 78); Brown, Azaz, Bradley (Howkins 63); Morton, Campbell.
Substitutes: House, Pierce.