Aston Villa Under-23s were beaten by two stoppage time penalties as they began their Premier League 2 campaign against West Bromwich Albion on Monday afternoon.
Zak Brown put the hosts in front after 33 minutes as they took a half-time lead.
But a much-improved Villa hit back when substitute Jaden Philogene-Bidace netted with nine minutes to play.
And just as Villa searched for a winner, Owen Windsor scored twice from the spot to leave them empty-handed.
West Brom made all the early running and after sending a couple of efforts wide, Taylor Gardner-Hicken fired straight at Viljami Sinisalo when well-placed inside the Villa box.
And Villa were indebted to Sinisalo for keeping the scores level on 31 minutes as the ‘keeper tipped Toby King’s drive around the post.
But the Finnish stopper could do nothing two minutes later as Brown fired home Tyrese Dyce’s pull back.
Jonathan Bond had enjoyed a quiet half until Indiana Vassilev fired a free-kick inches over the bar with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot.
Captain Dominic Revan headed narrowly over from a corner as Villa finished the first half the stronger of the two sides.
Philogene-Bidace was introduced after 68 minutes and the winger almost scored with his first touches as he set himself before firing just wide from the edge of the box.
Villa were in the ascendency and as the game ticked into the final ten minutes, Philogene-Bidace went close again.
The wide man beat two men before forcing Bond into a smart save at his near post.
That turned out to be a temporary reprieve for the hosts as Villa drew level with six minutes left.
Carney Chukwuemeka started the move in his own half before feeding DJ Sturridge, who turned the ball back into the marauding midfielder’s path.
Chukwuemeka’s shot was parried to the feet of Philogene-Bidace, who fired into an empty net.
Just as Villa set about looking for a winner, the Baggies were awarded a stoppage time spot kick, converted by Windsor, after Seb Revan was penalised for handball.
In the remaining minutes there was still time for Cameron Archer to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy before Windsor netted his second penalty of the game.
Aston Villa: Sinisalo, Walker, S.Revan, Burton, D.Revan, H.Sohna (Brunt 62), Wright, Chukwuemeka, Vassilev (Sturridge 75), A.Ramsey (Philogene-Bidace 68), Archer
Subs not used: Onodi, Farr
