The reserve team were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at Stevenage Borough on Monday night.
A 79th minute goal from Johnnie Jackson sealed victory for the hosts, who moved 10 points clear at the top of the FA Premier Reserve League south table.
Coach Kevin Keen had named a strong side for the clash at
Stevenage's Broadhall Way ground, with eight of the starting 11
possessing first-team experience, including goalkeeper Jimmy
Walker, who continued his comeback from injury with an assured
display between the sticks.
Hammers created the first real opportunity of the night midway
through the first half when Dailly found Ephraim, who turned well
inside the box but struck his shot straight at goalkeeper Cerny.
Spurs gained control as the first half wore on, and Walker was
called into action on several occasions before the break, saving
well from Barcham and Jackson and then diving full stretch to tip
wide a long-range effort from England under-21 midfielder Tom
Huddlestone.
Hammers fought back after the break and enjoyed a spell of
dominance early on. In the 46th minute a near-post corner was
sliced towards his own net by Spurs midfielder Daniels but saved by
Cerny, before Carl Fletcher missed the best chance of the night
five minutes later by slicing over the bar from just six yards out.
The hosts responded to their lucky escape and with 15 minutes
remaining, former Hammers loan signing Calum Davenport beat Walker
with a towering header from a corner, only for French midfielder
Sekou Baradji to clear off the line.
However, just moments later, Spurs found the vital breakthrough,
with a goal of sheer class. Jackson picked the ball up midway
inside Hammers' half and advanced towards the edge of the
penalty area before deceiving Walker with a superb chip that
ultimately won the game.
League leaders Tottenham are now clear favourites to lift the FA
Premier Reserve League South title, although Kevin Keen wasn't
too disappointed by his side's performance against a team
coached by his former Upton Park team-mate, Clive Allen.
"I thought it was a very good game," said the Hammers
coach afterwards. "It was a high standard of football at this
level - both sides had several senior players out there and it
really could have gone either way.
"There were a lot of chances at both ends and, while we're
obviously disappointed with the result, I thought the team
performed well and the senior lads certainly applied themselves in
the right manner.
"It was nice for Jimmy Walker to get through another 90
minutes - he made two or three very good saves - and young Jack
Collison and Kyel Reid both gave a good account of themselves
alongside more experienced players."
Hammers: Walker; Dailly, Collins, Ward, Clarke (Blewitt 62);
Collison (Welsh 74), Fletcher, Baradji, Reid; Katan, Ephraim (Hines
83). Subs unused: Blackmore, Tomkins.