Paul McCallum was left disappointed after his return to Development Squad action ended in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Luton Town.
The young Hammers were second best for most of the match and went down to a goal scored after 14 minutes.
McCallum looked a threat and had a goal ruled out for offside as the home side searched in vain for an equaliser and the striker conceded that the better team won on the day.
He told West Ham TV: "It was a disappointing result.
"It was one of those games where Luton were always going to be up for it playing against West Ham.
"I don't think we took it lightly but I think on the day they probably played better than us but it was certainly disappointing."
Nick Haycock's team made ten changes from their last Barclays Under-21 Premier League match as he looked to hand vital minutes to some members of his squad.
Fresh from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, Jordan Spence also returned to the fold with McCallum even playing part of the game alongside him at centre-back.
The striker was just pleased to get some playing time against good opposition.
He said: "It was a tough match, they're in the top four in the Conference so it was always going to be a tough game.
"For some of us out there it was just about getting minutes under the belt but the result was disappointing.
"I haven't played for roughly two months now so it was good to get 90 minutes wherever I play on the pitch. I don't mind where I play I just enjoy it out there, centre-back or up front I just enjoy it."
With the Development Squad currently leading the way in the league McCallum knows he faces an uphill struggle to force his way into the team.
And with Elliot Lee in a rich vein of form, competition for the lone frontman position is fierce and the forward knows he will have to work hard to get his chance.
"I've been watching the last four or five games frustrated not to be involved so hopefully now that my injury has cleared and I'm back training I can get myself back into the team.
"I've got to force my way back into the team now. Elliot's scoring a lot of goals at the moment but I've just got to show Nick in training that I can be a good asset to the team."