The ball bounced into the net off an unsuspecting Hammond as United failed to clear a Baggies corner to hand the visitors all three Group D points.

The Pilgrims had named a strong matchday squad for the visit of Albion, but found the Championship youngsters a tough nut to crack.

United boss Paul Hurst had made seven changes ahead of kick-off, with Barnsley loanee Georgie Gent handed his debut.

Boston almost took the lead inside three minutes when Charlie Blackshields' 30-yard backpass inadvertently smashed into the post.

Gent was given a licence to get forward and cracked a 15th minute effort into Brian Okonkwo's side-netting. The WBA keeper then denied Ken Aboh from distance.

Rio Parmar was Albion's liveliest presence and fired two efforts off target when well-placed during the first half.

The Pilgrims made three changes at the break, with Connor Teale, Jake Rooney and Lewis Shipley all introduced. The hosts fell behind on the hour mark when Lenell John-Lewis' defensive header on the end of an Albion corner crashed off the back of HAMMOND and flew into the net.

Lennon Wheeldon and Kai Mauro soon joined the action but Albion went close to extending their lead when Nathan Dlamini's effort rattled back off the post.

Teale was denied by a late Okonkwo save, but the Baggies held on relatively comfortably for all three points.

Boston (4-4-1-1): Luke Faxon; Sai Sachdev (Connor Teale 46), George Ward, Jamie Grimes (Jake Rooney 46), Georgie Gent (Kai Mauro 61); Liam Clayton, Ben Hammond, Nicholas Pozo, Ken Aboh (Lewis Shipley 46); Connor McBride; Lenell John-Lewis (Lennon Wheeldon 61). Subs (not used): Tom Cursons, Louis Chadwick (gk).

West Brom (4-2-3-1): Brian Okonkwo; Alfie Maughan, Carter Pinnington, Noah Dupont, Adam Letlat; Matthew Crowther, Charlie Blackshields (Jamal Mohammed 90); Remar McNeil (Joe Belmont 78), Ryan Colesby (Nathan Dlamini 64), Jaden Francis-Caesar (Harry French 64); Rio Parmar (Antonio Perkins 78). Sub (not used): William Rutter (gk).

Referee: Kavan Hurn.

Attendance: 387.

PIC: Chris Bray.