Middlesbrough Under-21 2 West Brom 0

A goal in each half condemned West Brom to an away defeat at Under-21 Premier League Division Two leaders Middlesbrough.

Both sides could have gone top but it was Boro who came off the better, despite a battling performance from the Baggies on Hartlepool's Victoria Park.

It could have been Albion who went home with something had they converted their chances, Kemar Roofe denied by a great save from goalkeeper Connor Ripley early on.

Adil Nabi saw a shot sail over from 20 yards before the visitors escaped at the other end with the score blank in the 12th minute, goalkeeper Jack Rose to the rescue.

It was defender George Cleet who was nearly red-faced after almost turning the ball into his own net, Bradley Halliday's cross causing chaos in the box.

Roofe seized on a loose ball to set up Liam O'Neil as Albion broke clear, but opportunities spurned proved to cost them in the 35th minute.

Halliday crossed from the right and found Tom McAloon in the box, who still had plenty do do as he shot low from a narrow angle. Rose almost kept the ball out, but it was deemed to be over the line.

The Baggies battled back after the break and almost equalised in the 66th minute but Ripley, son of former Boro favourite Stuart, again made a smart save from Roofe's 12-yard header.

The hosts finally wrapped up the points with 13 minutes to go, with Albion shooting themselves in the foot by conceding a penalty.

Rose was sold short by Ryan Pace's attempted pass-back, which was intercepted by Bradley Fewster in the penalty area, the shot-stopper having to act and thrill him down.

Fewster proceeded to send Rose the wrong way from the spot and take Boro to the summit.