AFC Telford United tasted defeat for the first time this pre-season as they were edged out by a single goal from a youthful West Bromwich Albion XI.

The Telford starting line-up was mainly made up of first team regulars, with ex-Newcastle Town starlet Jordan Johnson the only trialist on display.

But West Brom saw more of the ball in the early stages, their young guns showing good technical skills.

A strong run from Adil Nasi almost forced Shane Killock into a mistake inside the first 10 minutes, the Telford skipper turning the ball inches wide of his own post.

Kayleden Brown also bent a shot just wide after good approach play down the right-hand side as the Baggies continued to press.

The Bucks had their moments, their best chance comng when the lively Johnson then went on a mazy forward run, trading a neat one-two with Adam Proudlock before letting himself down with a skied shot high over the bar.

The Premier League pups always looked the more likely though, scoring the only goal of the game on 41 minutes when Romaine Sawyers found space on the left side of the area and curled a shot beyond Ryan Young and into the far top corner.

Telford came close to an equaliser on the hour mark when Will Salmon whipped in an early cross from the right which was met with a cracking diving header by striker Adam Proudlock. The effort had keeper Luke Daniels – the former Shrewsbury loanee – beaten but came back off the post.

They almost salvaged a draw again five minutes from time, firstly with a Newton free-kick from wide on the right which was tipped round the post by keeper Daniels.

The Baggies’ keeper was then called into action from the resulting corner, this time making a point-blank stop to deny Killock.

By CHRIS HUDSON