Nottingham Forest 1 West Brom 0

West Brom boss Alan Irvine played down injury fears over Joleon Lescott after the summer signing gave his side a scare in their 1-0 defeat at the City Ground.

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Lescott limped off as Albion went down to Matty Fryatt's first-half goal to slip to their first defeat of pre-season.

The former Walsall man struck on 25 minutes to settle low-key friendly but it was the injury to Lescott that was of greater concern than the result.

The former England man made his first public appearance in Baggies colours as a half-time substitute but he lasted just 35 minutes before limping off.

But Irvine said: "I've spoken to Joleon and he feels OK.

"He felt something on the outside of his knee that he'd felt when he was warming up.

"He was a little bit worried about it at the time but he says it's settled down now so hopefully it's nothing too bad."

Captain Chris Brunt made a successful return as a substitute after a hernia operation.

The first incident of note was an injury to referee Andre Mariner, which drew some sarcastic cheers from Albion fans after his controversial penalty award to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.

He limped off to be replaced by his fourth official.

Otherwise the game was a non-event until the hosts took the lead on 25 minutes thanks in part to a defensive error from Albion summer signing Sebastien Pocognoli.

He was caught underneath a raking Danny Fox pass and slipped as he attempted to recover his position.

That allowed Chris Burke to square for Fryatt, who took his time before beating Ben Foster in the Baggies goal.

Just before half-time Fryatt tried his luck from distance but sent his effort well wide.

And the a cross by Jamie Paterson was cleared at the near post by Jonas Olsson to bring to an end a forgettable first half.

Just seconds after the restart Albion could have been 2-0 down when Fryatt burst down the right and crossed for Reid, but Foster made a fine save low down.

But Albion then enjoyed a bright spell which began when Karl Darlow in the Forest goal made an excellent flying save to deny Graham Dorrans after a powerful run and 20-yard shot.

Craig Gardner then went close with a towering header that went just wide from a Dorrans corner.

But Forest regained the upper hand and Fryatt fired just wide from a Reid cross before Foster had to race out to claim ahead of Fryatt after a horribly weak Lescott header back.

Darlow made another good, low save to deny Craig Gardner after he exchanged passes neatly with Victor Anichebe.

And the big striker then had his own effort cleared off the line after he got his head to a Dorrans corner.

Lescott was forced off with 10 minutes to go after he pulled up following an awkward clearance.

Albion had another injury scare late on when Pocognoli fell awkwardly after a nasty collision but he was able to walk off the pitch after some initial concern from team-mates.

Late on substitute Kemar Roofe saw a shot saved well by Darlow after a clever pass from Anichebe.