GOALS from substitutes Stefan Morrison and Ricky Nicholls proved in vain as a young Albion reserves side finished on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller at Coventry.

The Sky Blues secured a 1-0 half-time lead with the Baggies coming closest to levelling before the break when Josh Knight hit the woodwork.

The hosts doubled their lead with around 20 minutes to go in the Pontin's Holidays League Division One (Central) clash.

Morrison pulled one back only for City to restore their two-goal advantage.

Substitute Nicholls then added a second for Albion with three minutes to go but the visitors ran out of time to find the equaliser in a closely-fought contest.

Baggies second-string coach Craig Shakespeare said: "I was very pleased with the effort.

"Most of the game was concentrated in the two penalty areas.

"We had numerous chances but didn't convert them and we could have won 5-3.

"We also conceded some bad goals.

"I was disappointed with the result but I was quite pleased with the performance on a difficult surface.

"Josh was good in attack again, David Worrall was full of energy in midfield and Jack Compton showed in flashes."

ALBION: Steele, Mason, Tininho, Manchester, Martis, Labadie (Bruce HT), Worrall, Compton (Nicholls 75), Knight, Nardiello (S Morrison HT), Lake-Gaskin. Subs not used: Daniels (gk), Saied. 

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