WOODLEY United’s bid to cut the gap at the top of the Hellenic League Division One East was frustrated by a floodlight failure at Rivermoor, the hosts leading AFC Aldermaston 2-1 at the time.

United came within inches of going ahead in the first 90 seconds when Carl Prestidge took advantage of a sloppy pass to send Charlie Oakley one on one with Aldermaston keeper Dan Smith.

Woodley’s top scorer hit his shot with venom but Smith was able to get a hand to it and turn it onto the bar before recovering to clear.

At the other end, a low Karl Hanks effort just missed to the right before United took the lead in the eighth minute when a decent spell of possession ended with Dave Morgan setting up Oakley, who fired in off the left post.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as Aldermaston were back level three minutes later when Dan Alliston hooked in from a corner.

Looking for an immediate response, Jake Nicholls had a free kick saved by Smith, before Woodley keeper Alex Reed showed good reactions to turn over a close range shot by Pete Waring. The resultant corner found Martin King at the back post who forced Reed into a comfortable stop.

On the half hour, Hanks had a good chance to give Aldermaston the lead but missed to the right after a cross from the byline found him in space.

The same player then showed good agility to wriggle clear of several tackles before testing Reed with a near post shot.

United retook the lead nine minutes before the interval when Prestidge rounded Smith; shooting from the right side of the box the shot got caught on the heavy pitch but was turned in from close range by Oakley.

The final chance of the half went to the away side with ex-United winger Waring heading a right-wing cross over.

Woodley took the game to Aldermaston in the second half. A superb ball by Nicholls picked out Josh Drew, who flashed a low cross across the six yard box.

More United pressure followed.

Another good pass by Nicholls found Prestidge, who lofted over Smith only to see King clear off the line.

Yet Woodley’s promising start to the half was all in vain as on the hour the floodlights went out.

After a 15-minute delay that saw some but not all of the lights come back on, the referee decided to abandon the game due to parts of the pitch being poorly lit.

Woodley United host Great Horwood in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup on Saturday (2pm), with the game being played at Bulmershe.

AFC Aldermaston entertain Finchampstead in the league (3pm).