Norwich City Under-18s fell to a 3-2 defeat to their West Bromwich Albion counterparts at the Lotus Training Centre.
An 82nd-minute winner saw WBA over the line in an entertaining end-to-end contest.
The young Canaries had the perfect start when Alex Roberts opened the scoring after just three minutes.
However, the visitors were quick in responding, testing goalkeeper Henry Bullen and the defence's resistance.
They held out well until the 25th minute when Layton Love was awarded a penalty. The striker stepped up and converted it himself to restore parity.
And West Brom edged ahead in the 34th minute when Fenton Heard scored, his goal assisted by Adriel Walker who was lively for Leigh Downing's side throughout the opening half.
City lost Bullen to injury late in the first half and made another change at the break.
Despite those losses, they started the second period strongly with Dubem Eze in particular causing problems.
The pressure finally told 15 minutes from time when Hugo Valencia Gomez levelled the tie, but it would be shortlived joy for Norwich.
Just seven minutes later, the visitors pulled in front again thanks to an own goal.
Again, the young Canaries were left with an uphill task, one that was made even harder when Valencia Gomez had to retire injured with all subs used.
Try as they might, another equaliser would escape them. An
Norwich City Under-18s: Bullen (Keita 45), Pinyoun, Owen, Doy (C), Renecke, Djedje, Eze (Ofori-Manteaw 62), Myles (Daley 62), Roberts (Fields 62), Reindorf (Thompson h-t), Valencia-Gomez.
Goals: Roberts (3), Valencia Gomez (75)
West Bromwich Albion Under-18s: Cisse, Olofinjana (Seans h-t), Sumnall, Mohammed, Williams, Oliver, Jimoh (Deeming 75), Heard, Walker, Hurlock (Oluwatobi 61), Love (Kone 88).
Unused subs: Brady.
Goals: Love (26), Heard (34), Own Goal (82)