Iain Hume's second goal inside a week was not enough to prevent Leicester City from slipping to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at the hands of high-flying West Bromwich Albion at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Canadian international struck 15 minutes from time to cancel out Zoltan Gera's 31st minute header.
But substitute Craig Beattie's excellent effort two minutes from time secured the visitors all three points.
The Foxes' chances were few and far between against a confident Baggies outfit but Patrick Kisnorbo, Carl Cort and Joe Mattock also came close.
However, despite Hume's goal and an improved second half showing, it was the Baggies who returned home with the victory.
In difficult conditions, both teams wrestled for possession before Kisnorbo had to be alert to cut out Jared Hodgkiss' low cross from the left hand by-line on seven minutes.
Then it was Darren Kenton's turn to nick the ball away from Filipe Teixeira as the diminutive midfielder surged in to the box.
The visitors came close in the 11th minute when Roman Bednar headed wide from Zoltan Gera's right-wing cross.
It was the home side's opportunity to go close on 19 minutes when Luke Steele was forced to punch clear Stephen Clemence's dangerous in-swinging free-kick from the right.
Leon Barnett came to the Baggies' rescue two minutes later when he blocked Carl Cort's goal-bound effort after good work down the right flank between Ashley Chambers and Richard Stearman.
Iain Hume dragged his shot wide on 28 minutes after being teed up by Cort.
Gera found the side-netting moments later after cutting inside Joe Mattock before the visitors took the lead in the 31st minute.
Chris Brunt did well down the left flank before finding the onrushing Gera at the back post and he had the simple task of heading home past Marton Fulop from close range for the opener.
Kisnorbo could have drawn his side level on 36 minutes but placed his header over Luke Steele's bar after latching on to Stearman's knock-back from Clemence's free-kick.
City were forced in to a change in the 41st minute with the injured James Wesolowski making way for Andy King.
A magnificent save from Steele denied Kisnorbo on 45 minutes before the Baggies keeper saved Kenton's shot from the resulting corner.
The Foxes finished the half in the ascendancy but it remained 1-0 to the visitors at the break.
The Baggies almost extended their advantage on 52 minutes when Jonathan Greening did well on the edge of the area, before curling an effort just over Fulop's bar.
Jonathan Hayes replaced Chambers on the hour before Fulop saved comfortably from Bednar after latching on to Teixeira's through ball.
Steele gathered from Stearman in the 65th minute then Bednar found the side-netting soon after.
Teixeira curled his effort wide on 72 minutes before Bednar made way for Craig Beattie.
However, City were rewarded for their endeavour when Hume netted the equaliser in the 75th minute.
The Baggies defence allowed Fulop's long clearance to bounce inside the area before Hume challenged the keeper and managed to bundle the ball in to the vacant net for the leveller much to the home fans' delight.
Shelton Martis was booked for a foul on Hayes before Richard Chaplow replaced Koren on 78 minutes.
Moments later, Cort had appeals for a penalty turned down after he tumbled in the area under a challenge from Barnett.
However, the visitors nicked it late on when Beattie curled an exquisite effort into the top right hand corner past Fulop for the winner much to City's dismay.
City: Fulop, Stearman, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Mattock, Kenton, Wesolowski (King 41), Clemence (c), Chambers A (Hayes 60), Hume, Cort. Subs not used: N'Gotty, Sheehan, Odhiambo.
WBA: Steele, Martis, Barnett, Pele, Hodgkiss, Gera, Greening (c), Koren (Chaplow 78), Brunt, Teixeira, Bednar (Beattie 72). Subs not used: MacDonald, Tininho, Worrall.
Yellow Cards
City: None
WBA: Martis (78)
Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)
Attendance: 22,088
