Djiar Parfitt-Williams and his West Ham United's Under 18 teammates missed the chance to leapfrog Leicester City in the Barclaus Under 18 Premier League South table when they suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Danny Rowe scored the only goal of the game with 22 minutes on the clock to leave Steve Potts' men with nothing to show for their efforts.
Leicester City were in good form coming into this game, having defeated Norwich City and Fulham 5-0, and they began in confident mood with Matty Miles setting up Rowe, whose shot was saved.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Jerry Amoo was denied by a strong tackle from Hamza Choudhury, and seven minutes later the home side had the lead as Keenan King made a burst down the right before cutting back for Rowe, who took a touch before slotting past Sam Howes.
Amoo rattled the crossbar shortly afterwards as West Ham United looked to hit back, but 1-0 was how it remained at the break.
King went close twice at the start of the second half for Leicester, but West Ham finished the game strongly and twice forced home keeper Max Smith-Varnham into good saves.
First, he tipped Parfitt-Williams' drive wide of the post, then denied the same man with a brave block to frustrate the visiting West Ham.
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