Florin Andone has taken a tentative step towards making an impact for Albion in the Premier League.

Three months and 20 days after signing from Deportivo La Coruna, the Romanian striker chased by the Seagulls through three transfer windows made his first appearance at the Amex.

Andone featured in the opening 45 minutes for the under-23s tonight as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 comeback win against West Ham.

His only previous outing was another half in a pre-season friendly behind closed doors in Nice.

Andone's involvement has been restricted by a groin problem. Albion boss Chris Hughton revealed on Thursday that he would probably play 45 minutes in the under-23s and there was no sign of injury discomfort during his time on the pitch.

Albion were persistent in their pursuit of Andone (below) because of his all-round attributes and ability to offer something different.

The Argus: Wearing No.10, he operated like a No.10, partnering Irish youngster Aaron Connolly and drifting deeper out of possession.

There were glimpses of what Andone can offer.

He showed strength protecting the ball and good movement to cut back a couple of crosses in limited opportunities to shine in dangerous areas.

Andone also demonstrated plenty of hunger, a little too much for referee Gary Parsons' liking in attempting to win back possession just before the break.

That resulted a lecture and, when Parsons blew his whistle shortly afterwards, Andone had his hands on his knees and was breathing heavily as he left the pitch.

Training is no substitute for match minutes. Andone will benefit from more game time in his quest to increase Albion's firepower.

West Ham arrived with a curious record of two away wins, at Liverpool and Spurs, and two home defeats, by Manchester City and Arsenal.

They demonstrated why they have done well on their travels with some slick attacking moves which caused plenty of discomfort to the Albion rearguard in the first half.

Pacey Portugese prospect Xande Silva and homegrown Grady Diangana proved particularly troublesome.

The pair combined to put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute. Silva's speed and elusiveness took him behind the defence and he cut the ball back for Diangana to fire in via the crossbar.

Hugo Keto was the busier of the two keepers. Albion's Finnish youngster, signed from Arsenal, had to save from Diangana and Conor Coventry.

Silva also slotted just wide and Joe Powell drove into the side netting.

Powell curled a free-kick into the side netting as well early in the second half after Jordan Davies had replaced Andone.

Albion, who thrashed Manchester City in their previous outing following draws against Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs, showed commendable character to turn the contest on its head.

The Argus: Swedish winger Viktor Gyokeres (above), whose previous appearance at the Amex was for the first team in the Carabao Cup against Southampton, equalised on 75 minutes with a volley into the ground which found the far corner.

Connolly won the game for Simon Rusk's side three minutes later, converting at the far post a cross-shot from Anders Dreyer with West Ham looking in vain for an offside flag.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Keto; A.Davies, Barclay, O'Hora, Cochrane; Dreyer, Collar (Tilley 70), Normann, Gyokeres; Andone (J.Davies 46); Connolly.

Subs: Moore, Collings, Ljubicic.

West Ham (4-4-1-1): Anang; Johnson, Oxford, Akinola, Barrett; Diangana (Adarkwa 72), Coventry, Lewis, Powell; Rosa; Silva (Longelo 77).

Subs: Alese, Jinadu.

Referee: Gary Parsons.