Hope Powell has revealed why she kept her side in for talks after a depressing home defeat.

Albion went down 3-1 to West Ham in Barclays FA WSL to remain winless in the current campaign.

There was no lack of effort or enthusiasm on or off the pitch and Megan Connolly’s added-time goal was celebrated like a winner by fans.

But West Ham had more quality when and where it mattered and took the points with goals by Martha Thomas, Kenza Dali (penalty) and the excellent Alisha Lehmann.

Albion usually stay on the pitch at full-time to briefly discuss the game and then meet supporters.

This time, they headed straight for the changing room for a more in-depth inquest.

Powell emerged a good 40 minutes later satisfied it had been a constructive discussion.

The Albion boss said: “I think it’s really important that the players get to talk about it while it is fresh and then go away and reflect. There were good conversations.

“For the first 25 minutes of the game, I was really pleased.

“Then, when we conceded, we need to understand why suddenly we went into ourselves and became withdrawn.

“It is about doing the basics well. They need to understand that the league is unforgiving and, if they cut corners in any way - not doing the basics well, not eating the right food – and I’m not saying they are, all of that helps out there.

“I say my piece, I invite players to say their piece.

“Then we come to an understanding.

“Everybody agrees. They are not stupid girls.

“Everyone recognises we have got to pass the ball better, we have got to move better. We all know that.

“These are words but now we have just got to start executing it a bit more.”

Albion were chasing the game from the 25th minute.

West Ham put together a flowing move from deep which went from left to right before Lehmann set up Thomas, who supplied a cool finish.

Albion should have been ahead by then.

They got Aileen Whelan in behind down their left.

After initially being closed down, she managed to get the ball back and scoop an effort on to the far post.

Ellie Brazil could not get over the bouncing ball as it rebounded to her and hooked her shot over from close range.

Ini Umotong was foiled by a brilliant last-ditch tackle after the break as she bore down on goal with Brazil hoping the ball would be squared to her at the far post.

Megan Walsh, looking a shrewd addition in goal this season, kept the hosts in the game when she blocked from Lehmann in a one-on-one.

But the Albion goalkeeper was powerless when Dali added the second from a 70th-minute penalty after Thomas went down with defender Danique Kerkdijk at her back.

Right-sided Lehmann rounded off a counter attack by firing home the third via a slight deflection off Kerkdijk.

Albion’s afternoon was summed up when a cross deflected into the path of Connolly arriving at the far post and she blazed over.

The same player eventually got them on the scoresheet in added time by turning home Whelan’s low cross.

But Powell had already seen plenty to talk about by then.

Lewes lost 3-0 at home to previously winless Leicester City in the FA Women’s Championship.

After a goalless opening half, the Foxes opened the scoring when Hayley James followed up Annabel Blanchard’s saved effort early in the second-half.

Lachante Paul doubled Leicester’s advantage with a solo goal and Libby Smith sealed the points when played clean through.

Lewes were closest to breaking the first-half deadlock as Ellie Noble struck the bar from 25 yards out and Jess King scuffed the rebound wide.