Town's second string were denied a victory over West Ham by a last gasp goal from Hammers' defender Elliot Ward. The Blues looked to have the points sewn up after a Dean Bowditch wonder goal just after half-time.

Town started brightly with some neat passing but with little created in the West Ham box. The first real chance of the game was a shot on 25 from West Ham's Byrne which flew just by Pullen's post.

John McGreal's comeback game came to a halt in the 34th minute when he fell to the floor under a challenge from McMahon, the West Ham player continuing to kick out at the ball while the Blues' defender was on the floor. McGreal was clearly in a lot of pain from what appeared to be a knee injury and was eventually stretchered off, Chaffey replacing him. McMahon picked up a yellow card.

As the half ended Town had a flurry of chances, the impressive Collins headed just wide before a fine interchange between Bowditch, up against World Cup star Gary Breen, and Bloomfield ended with the midfielder hitting a shot which was charged down.

With four minutes left before the break Alun Armstrong, again largely quiet, had an edge of the area shot saved by keeper Bywater. Two minutes later the same player saw his header equally well stopped by the Hammers' custodian.

As the half came to an end West Ham defender Ward somehow managed to send the ball over the bar from a yard or two out with the goal gaping, although the linesman's flag had already been raised.

Bywater was again in action in injury time, denying a Bowditch shot after he had been found by a long Pullen kick.

Bowditch was to break the deadlock nine minutes into the second period. Out of nothing he conjured a goal of real quality. With there looking little danger the 16-year-old curled the ball beyond Bywater and into the top corner from 25 yards, right-footed, just to the left of centre.

It was a shame that there wasn't a wider audience to see the goal, however the Portman Road crowd rose as one to applaud the youngster.

Despite the goal, West Ham were probably having the best of the game. Three minutes after Bowditch's goal there was a major scramble involving several efforts on the Town goal, the Blues eventually gaining a freekick when Boardley was fouled by Akinsete.

Town's Antonio Murray picked up a yellow card for a foul on former Arsenal man David Noble before one of the linesman went down injured with what looked to be a hernia or stomach muscle injury. After extensive treatment and a lengthy gap the game continued with the fourth official taking over.

The Hammers continued to put the pressure on and on 85 Pullen almost saw McMahon's shot slip through his legs. Fortunately the Town keeper managed to reclaim the ball before it crossed the line.

Just as Town thought they were home and dry, and with injury time being played, up popped Elliot Ward to head home from a freekick on the left.

A decent performance from the youngsters with the team as a whole impressing. Aiden Collins, now 16, again showed that he is a player beyond his years while Bowditch illustrated his class with the best goal of his Town reserve career so far.

Town: Pullen, Mitchell, Boardley (Flack 78), Collins, McGreal (Chaffey 34), Hogg, Bloomfield, Westlake, Armstrong, Bowditch and Murray (Barron 90).

Photo: Action Images

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