Hayes & Yeading’s under 18 side’s match against Aldershot Town ended honours even when the visitors equalised in the fourth minute of time added on after United’s ten men had held court manfully in the second half.

An early chance for Simon East’s side saw Jalon Rowe fire just over Luke Williams’ crossbar while at the other end Charlie Kennedy set up Rob Gerrard whose shot from just inside the box was tipped around the post by Tyler Wootton in the United goal.

Two minutes later United took the lead, a sweeping move down the right saw Prince Mbengiu sweep the ball home from 8 yards out. It got even better for United five minutes later when Josh Odunwo was tripped inside the area and a spot kick awarded. Gil Cravid stepped up and although Williams saved his kick, the midfielder was quick enough to roll the ball back into the net.

The Shots almost found an instant reply when Nathan Connolly broke into the United box only to be foiled by Wootton’s outstretched boot as he spread himself in front of the striker.

Elliott Blair fire inches over for the visitors before Wootton was again in action, this time flying to his right one handed to push away a Benny Read effort that looked destined for the top corner.

United were straight back on the attack and Williams’ boot denied United left-back Arti Krasniqi as he deflected his effort wide of the post.

Chances kept coming at both ends and Wootton again had to be sharp to touch a low skimming drive from Gerrard around the post.

In first half stoppage time United were given a real kick in the teeth when the already cautioned Krasniqi committed one foul too many and referee Hart showed him a second yellow card followed by the obligatory red card.

It will come as little surprise that most of the second half was played in the United half, however Simon East’s side were not without openings of their own.

Shots substitute Tayshan Hayden-Smith went closest to beating Wootton in the first 10 minutes of the half when his shot just cleared the angle of post and bar. The same player was denied minutes later when Wootton got down well to push away his snapshot from close range however just after the hour mark Smith again found space and this time fired past Wootton to reduce the arrears.

Hayden-Smith went close to levelling the scores with an overhead effort before Wootton again saved with an outstretched boot to deny Connolly. At the other end United substitute Emmanuel Shaheed went close to adding a third for United when his shot crashed back off the crossbar.

With it looking like United’s superb second half rear-guard was going to see then to victory, disaster struck midway through the fourth minute of four minutes added time when a bouncing ball through the middle saw Connolly beat Wootton to the ball and his header bounced into the corner of the United net for what in all truth was a deserved equaliser but none the less tough on the United side who had played so well.

Report by Kevin Watts.

United Man of the Match: Tyler Wootton.