Report | Swansea City U23s 0 West Brom U23s 1

George Harmon’s second-half goal proved to be the difference as Swansea City Under-23s fell to a narrow defeat against 10-man West Bromwich Albion at Landore in Premier League 2 Division 2.

Harmon finished off some excellent build-up play from the visitors just past the hour mark and - even though the Baggies had Aksum White dismissed for a rash challenge - they held out Swansea’s late surge.

Jon Grey made minor tweaks to the side that began the Premier League Cup fixture with Reading; the Swans having not played in three weeks.

Tom Price, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Aberystwyth Town, came into the heart of midfield for his first league appearance of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Jacob Jones started at left-back for his first league game since September, and Ali Al-Hamadi also returned to the starting line-up after injury.

Elsewhere, Ben Erickson made his first league appearance for the under-23s as he partnered skipper Cameron Evans in the heart of defence.

The first real chance of the match came for the visitors in the fifth minute when Zak Brown narrowly missed the target following some neat build-up play.

Just five minutes later, Swansea forward Arnor Gudjohnsen rifled a shot at goal, but West Brom’s Saul Shotton was on hand to deny him.

Swansea skipper Evans then made a vital clearance off the line at the other end as Harmon looked to break the deadlock.

Some good play from Taylor Gardner-Hickman then found Tyrese Dyce in a dangerous position, but the winger could only manage to direct his effort at Swans keeper Lewis Webb.

Jones whipped a free-kick not too far over the bar soon after but West Brom began to apply more pressure before the interval, with Tivonge Rushesha doing well to clear Taylor Gardner-Hickman's shot off the line.

The visitors then tried to hit the Swans on the counter as Gardner-Hickman drove a low shot at goal that was pushed away by Webb, who subsequently did well to deny Cheikh Diaby's rebound.

After the break, West Brom looked to open the scoring when they were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Dyce stepped up to take the kick and delivered a fine cross to Zak Brown in the area, but the ball stung the grateful palms of Webb.

The Baggies took the lead in the 64th minute with a well-taken low strike from Harmon after some terrific build-up play from the visitors.

The Swans looked to respond. Dan Williams floated a good cross into the box in the 79th minute, with Mason Jones-Thomas rising for a header but unable to make the vital connection.

Hopes of an equaliser were raised when the Baggies were reduced to 10 men as White was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute for a dangerous challenge on Jones-Thomas.

But despite a valiant effort and some impressive spells of play, the Swans were unable to break down a resolute West Bromwich Albion side at Landore.

Swansea City U23s: Lewis Webb, Tivonge Rushesha, Jacob Jones, Daniel Williams, Cameron Evans, Ben Erickson, Mason Jones-Thomas, Tom Price (Josh Edwards, 65), Arnor Gudjohnsen, Oli Cooper, Ali Al-Hamadi (Marc Walsh, 75).

Unused subs: Tyler Evans, Erick Kenko, Jake Thomas.