Town started the game well and a Jason Awbery free kick was headed over by striker Dominic Allen.

However Hammers hit back and had a goal ruled out for offside.

Chances continued to come at both ends but it was Hammers who took the lead in controversial fashion just two minutes before the break.

A well worked routine from a throw on the left - which Town players believed should have been theirs - made its way to an unmarked Aaron Brown, who cooly fired home from the penalty spot.

Town hit back at the start of the second half with substitute Carlton Cox having a shot well blocked and Adam Cashin-Murray forcing a fine save from keeper Jon Norris.

The end-to-end action continued with Awbery testing Norris from distance for Town and Jack Walker scuffing a shot wide for Hammers.

However with just 15 minutes remaining Town got their equaliser as Cashin-Murray rounded the keeper to score, and the goalscorer could have given them the lead just a minute later but his penalty was well saved by Norris.

As a draw appeared the likely outcome, Cox thought he had given Town victory in the 86th minute, but his effort was ruled out for off side.

However the Hellenic League Division One East side spared their blushes and picked up the win with just one minute to go when Awbery’s corner was flicked on and left back Doug Groves headed home from a yard out.

Woodley return to league action when they host Easington Town on Saturday (3pm ko).

l READING Town’s dismal run continued with a fifth consecutive Hellenic Premier loss against Thatcham Town on Tuesday.

Colin Millard’s men lost 4-2 at Scours Lane, having also suffered a 4-3 home reverse to Oxford City Nomads on Saturday (goalkeeper Jordan Eggleton pictured far left).

Town visit Shrivenham on Saturday (3pm ko) and Briscombe and Thrupp on Tuesday (7.45pm ko).