Albion’s four-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat away to Bolton.

Zach Clough, Bolton’s prodigious young talent, scored the only goal midway through the second half to end a run of three straight defeats for Neil Lennon’s men.

With Millwall losing away to fellow strugglers Rotherham, Albion remain six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Derby.

Chris Hughton named an unchanged side as Albion went in search of a third successive win.

The visitors could have taken the lead in the sixth minute with a nice move as Craig Mackail-Smith’s cross from the right was met by a back-post volley from Sam Baldock but goalkeeper Ben Amos clawed away the effort for a corner.

It proved to be the highlight of an uneventful first half where Albion looked the more accomplished team.

The only other talking part was a challenge by Emile Heskey on Lewis Dunk which earned the former England man a yellow card when some may have felt was worthy of a red.

Three minutes into the second half Albion went close to breaking the deadlock with a 25-yard strike from Beram Kayal which Amos beat away at the expense of a corner.

Just before the hour-mark Mackail-Smith’s deep cross found its way to Baldock whose low shot was gathered at the second attempt by Amos.

A minute later Albion made a change as Dale Stephens came on for Bruno with Inigo Calderon switching to right-back.

Bolton took the lead on 64 minutes following some wonderful work from the excellent Zach Clough. Josh Vela’s clever pass picked out Clough’s run and the teenager showed some excellent footwork before finishing smartly.

Albion tried to respond as Joe Bennett, on the overlap, crossed for Joao Teixeira but his shot was blocked.

Hughton, looking for an equaliser, threw on Kazenga LuaLua for Mackail-Smith, with Baldock going up front.

Teixeira had another effort blocked with ten minutes remaining following a Bennett cross from the left.

But Bolton defended stoically to deny Albion an equaliser.

Albion: Stockdale; Bruno (sub Stephens 60), Greer, Dunk, Bennett; Ince, Kayal (sub O’Grady 82); Calderon, Teixeira, Baldock; Mackail-Smith (sub LuaLua 74). Subs not used: Hughes, Stephens, Ledesma, Best, LuaLua, Walton.

Bolton: Amos; Vela, Mills, Wheater, Ream; Clough, Feeney (sub McNaughton 65), Danns (sub Moxey 43), Bannan; Clough; Le Fondre, Heskey (sub Gudjohnsen 78). Subs not used: Dervite, Janko, Walker, Fitzsimons.