West Brom u21s 2 QPR u21s 3: Young Baggies exit cup in five-goal thriller

Eseosa Sule's double was not enough for Richard Beale's youngsters, who took the lead and fought back from 2-1 down only to be edged out 3-2.

Striker Sule converted two cool finishes - and saw three others kept out by busy goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd - but it was a disappointing elimination for the youngsters in front of a watching Tony Mowbray.

It ends the run in the competition Albion's youth side won on penalties against Wolves in 2022.

Beale's youngsters will return to regular PL2 league action on April 7, one of three league games remaining as they push to qualify for the play-offs, which feature the top 16 sides. They are currently 18th.

Albion lifted an early chance on to the roof of the net through Sule after approach play down Albion's right flank.

QPR drew a comfortable save from home goalkeeper Ben Cisse from Harry Murphy's effort after the Rs escaped past Michael Parker down their right.

Beale's youngsters cranked up early pressure as Harry Whitwell had a shot blocked before his header was cleared off the line after a flowing move involving Deago Nelson and Sule.

The latter was then played through on goal by Parker but goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd rushed out to save. It was not the first time they would contest in the tie.

Shepperd was a mere spectator, though, as Sule was played through on goal by skipper Reece Hall on 10 minutes. The Scottish frontman jinked past a recovering defender and finished coolly into the bottom left corner.

Former Celtic striker Sule was a thorn in QPR's backline and drew another one-v-one stop from Shepperd's outstretched leg. At the other end Baggies defender Mo Diomande made a fine last-ditch tackle to clear from Cian Dillon.

A QPR corner turned into yet another gilt-edged chance for the lightning-quick Sule on half hour as he darted half the field but was thwarted by the busy keeper again.

Hoops striker Dillon was somehow unable to turn past Albion's Ben Cisse from close range after an uncleared corner and Jaiden Purman's strike.

QPR ended the first half well and took that into the second period. Less than eight minutes of the second half had been played when the visitors packed Albion's box and a ball was rifled from the right side of the box when Dillon converted high into the net from six yards.

Beale's side responded admirably. Five minutes later, just before the hour, Sule was menacing the Rs defence again.

Defender Jamal Mohammed's pass down the left channel put the striker in a race with Samuel Manufor. He brushed the defender off the ball, crept into the box and finished low into the bottom corner.

The floodgates had opened with both backlines susceptible to a ball beyond them. QPR's Dillon was released down the right and he hammered a superb low cross for Emmerson Sutton to convert in a carbon copy of their first to level again.

The Rs were in the mood and substitute Rohan Vaughan lashed just over from range.

QPR were on top as the watchable tie entered its final 20 minutes and lively striker Dillon kept his cool to finish low after beating Mohammed to the ball.

Albion pushed for a late equaliser but Whitwell's rising strike was straight at Shepperd and Fenton Heard - back from injury as a sub - sliced wide.

Heard then drove a powerful low strike at Shepperd from Whitwell's lay off after good work down the left from an unnamed Albion trialist.

Cisse made a couple of fine late saves to keep Albion in the tie but they were in vain as the visitors progressed.

Albion u21s (4-2-3-1): Cisse; Nelson (Heard, 74), Diomande, Mohammed, Parker; Hall (c), Mandey (Crowther, 60); Williams, Whitwell, Humphries (Trialist, 60); Sule.

Subs not used: Wallis, Iddrisa.

QPR u21s: Shepperd, Purman, Da Silva, Manufor, Trialist, Tuck (O'Brien, 63), Petrie (Vaughan, 63), Dalla, Dillon (McDowell, 90+3), Murphy (c), Sutton (Sanyaolu, 72).

Subs not used: Halliday.

Referee: Isaac Searle