Burton Albion's hopes of retaining the Bass Charity Vase were dashed when they lost 1-0 to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in their latest pre-season friendly on Wednesday night.

The Brewers are moving ever closer to the start of the Championship, and it was certainly a strong side that took on the Baggies in the first Pirelli Stadium clash of the summer - with all six new signing starting.

Burton won their first four games of pre-season, but have since lost 3-0 to AFC Wimbledon and drew 2-2 at Matlock Town on Saturday, before a 4-1 defeat to Rocester on Monday night for a side made up almost entirely of current academy players.

Hope Akpan takes a shot against West Brom

The Baggies, meanwhile, have been contesting the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong, where they faced Crystal Palace and Leicester City, who travel to the Pirelli on Tuesday.

Relive tonight's match - in which Jay Rodriguez's goal was enough to separate the two sides following an evenly matched battle - with our live blog below, which will be running in every game of Burton Albion's 2017/18 season.

To get in touch, tweet us @BurtonAlbionBM, @JoshuaMurrayBM or @RichardCusackBM.

That's all from us at the Pirelli Stadium

Goodnight from us here at the Pirelli, where the Brewers fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Premier League West Bromwich Albion.

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Before we bring you any more reaction, here's Joshua Murray's verdict on tonight's display.

Joshua Murray believes the Brewers “held their own against classy Baggies”...

Read the verdict here.

Plus, Nigel Clough gave us an update on Albion’s search for a new full-back...

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Just spoken to Nigel Clough, we'll have reaction from him soon.

He thought the Brewers did well against a strong West Bromwich Albion side, and you can’t deny that.

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We are awaiting some post-match reaction from Brewers boss Nigel Clough

What will he make of tonight’s result?

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Watch Jonny Evans lift the Bass Charity Vase after his side's win tonight.

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Man of the match: Ahmed Hegazi

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the Egyptian, who has been named man of the match on his debut for the Baggies on UK turf.

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Stay tuned for Joshua Murray's verdict

But for now, we’re awaiting the awarding of the Bass Charity Vase to West Bromwich Albion.

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Full-time!

That’s all from the Pirelli Stadium this evening, as the Brewers fall to a 1-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion.

In the end, quality told - but Nigel Clough can be more than pleased from what he’s seen of his charges tonight as they pitted their wits against an established Premier League side.

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90: West Brom sub

Max Melbourne replaces Matty Phillips.

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90: It's cleared, and Burton have a throw-in on the far side.

They keep trying...

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90: One last chance for Albion?

They have a corner after Akin’s hard work in the far corner.

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PICTURE: The moment West Brom's Jay Rodriguez headed past Stephen Bywater to put the Baggies 1-0 up

Jay Rodriguez of West Bromwich Albion scores past Burton Albion goalkeeper Stephen Bywater
Jay Rodriguez of West Bromwich Albion scores past Burton Albion goalkeeper Stephen Bywater (Image: Roland Harrison/Epic Action Imagery)
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84: More subs

Ben Fox replaces Luke Murphy, and Rayhaan Tulloch comes on in place of Nacer Chadli.

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83: Good little burst of pace from Sbarra

The Brewers substitute picks up the pace and darts through the West Brom defence and lays off Dyer, who tries a give-and-go with Akins - but he can’t control it.

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81: Brewers sub

Kyle McFadzean is replaced by Damien McCrory.

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80: West Brom attacking with a purpose

They’ve turned it on towards the end of the second-half.

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78: The Brewers could only withstand so much pressure

And their Premier League quality has showed, with former England international Rodriguez heading home.

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77: GOAL West Brom!

Jay Rodriguez turns the ball in after a goal-mouth scramble and the Baggies lead.

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75: Rodriguez shoots from the far side

And it goes out for a throw in. Not his finest effort.

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PICTURE: Liam Boyce in the thick of it for Burton Albion

Liam Boyce of Burton Albion
Liam Boyce of Burton Albion (Image: Roland Harrison/Epic Action Imagery)
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70: Subs

Marvin Sordell is replaced by Joe Sbarra. and for West Brom Salomon Rondon is replaced by Callum McManaman.

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67: Brewers sub

Boyce comes off, of his own accord, and Matty Palmer takes his place.

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67: Attendance

Not a bad crowd tonight for a pre-season friendly in July, with 2,211 fans fancying a night out at the football.

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65: Boyce is down

Let’s hope it’s nothing too serious. He’s receiving some attention from the Brewers physio.

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64: Brewers subs

Akpan can be happy with his Pirelli debut - a solid display in the centre of the park against the likes of Jake Livermore and Claudio Yacob.

As can Buxton, too. Keeping the quality of Rondon and Chadli quiet is no mean feat.

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63: Brewers subs

John Mousinho and Lucas Akins will replace Jake Buxton and Hope Akpan.

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62: Akpan is through

But his first-time shot is easily saved by Foster after some good build-up play.

Nice run from Akpan, who normally takes up a deeper position.

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58: Brewers using the flanks well

Lund is released down the right, but his cross is too long and picked up by Irvine, who flashes a cross wide but there’s no centre-forward there.

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57: Chadli wasteful again

He goes round one and cuts inside on his left-foot and curls a shot harmlessly over. Pre-season in a nutshell.

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Chance!

Boyce is unlucky as he tries to connect with a ball at the back-post in front of the Brewers fans in the West Stand, but can’t quite make it.

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