Albion made it three wins from four in the WSL season with a 1-0 success at top-flight newcomers Crystal Palace.

Bruna, the attacking player on loan from Barcelona, scored the only goal on 35 minutes as the hosts appealed for a foul on goalkeeper Shae Yanez.

While Albion were not at their best in possession, they forced three fine saves from Yanez.

But it was her opposite number Sophie Baggaley who had the final word with a superb tip-over in the closing moments to secure the away win.

Albion made the expected adjustment in the absence of suspended Poppy Pattinson down the left.

Midfielder Marisa Olislagers took that role and Jelena Cankovic coming into the side.

The visited, well-backed on the terraces, were expected to have a lot of possession and that pattern indeed developed.

But Palace were organised at the back and looked to threaten at pace on the break.

That ploy might have brought them the lead midway through the first half.

Their hard-running striker Katie Stengel committed defenders and pulled the ball back but My Cato completely mis-kicked when well-placed.

Then Annabel Blanchard saw an effort from inside the Albion box deflect wide as Palace enjoyed some pressure.

Nikita Parris glanced a header off target for the Seagulls but they were struggling to inject tempo and create any clear threat.

But the breakthrough came via quite a direct route - and amid Palace complaints.

Yanez collided with Parris as she came out looking to claim a high ball sent swirling into the box by Cankovic.

The hosts claimed a foul but play was allowed to continue and Bruna finished.

Cankovic was injured soon after the goal, replaced by Maisie Symonds.

Albion fleetingly took charge and Yanez made a superb save when Kirby bore down on goal.

But Palace may well have been level without a goal-saving block by Maria Thorisdottir right on half-time.

Blanchard angled a shot narrowly wide early on the second period.

Vicky Losada went even closer when her chip was tipped away from the top corner by Yanez.

But it was generally Palace pressure.

Baggaley held a well-struck drive by the dangerous Stengel, when then drilled a ball across the face of goal.

Albion’s second-half changes included the introduction of Michelle Agyemang and Kiko Seike wide in attack.

They might have put the game beyond reach.

Seike’s low cross looked destined for Agyemang until Josie Green made a great clearance.

Agyemang fired over in the closing stages and Yanez produced her third fine save of the match to tip over from Seike.

But, with the game going into added time, Baggaley topped that by reaching high to her left as she pushed Blanchard’s seemingly net-bound drive over the bar.

That was just about job done for the Seagulls.

A third victory in four WSL outings - and an indication that they can win when not at their most fluent in possession.