ALBION’s under-23s were cruelly defeated 3-2 by a stoppage time Ipswich goal at a snowy Portman Road in the Premier League Cup.
The Baggies had the better of a goalless first half and went close to opening the scoring on 16 minutes when Evan Pierce had a shot from close-range saved and Nick Clayton-Phillips’ follow-up was deflected past the post.
Pierce then saw his header from the resulting corner drift inches wide before Alex Palmer had to remain alert down the other end to keep out Aaron Drinan’s effort.
Two minutes after the break Drinan did get his goal, though, as he slotted home from inside the area.
But Albion pegged them back almost immediately when Sam Field won and then scored a penalty on 52 minutes, with Ipswich’s Chris Goteni getting sent off in the process.
It was then the home side’s turn to respond quickly as Ben Morris restored their lead with a sweet strike from the right-hand side.
Substitute Jamie Soule looked to have earned the Baggies a draw with his goal on 78 minutes, but a stoppage time counter attack saw Morris’s cross turned into his own net by Nathan Ferguson to hand Ipswich all three points.
ALBION: Palmer, Wilding, Ferguson, McCourt, Harmon (Tulloch 70); Harper, Field (Brown 75); Bradley, Azaz, Clayton-Phillips; Pierce (Soule 62).
Substitutes: Przybek, Hall.