WOODLEY United gave a much-improved performance, but still exited the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy following a 1-0 defeat to Wallingford Town at Rivermoor Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors started well and Charlie Silkstone had the first effort on goal after 12 minutes, only to be denied by a one-handed James Stroud save for a corner.

A clash of heads which saw Town’s Jake Smith suffer a broken nose coupled with a series of free-kicks saw the half stop and start, but gradually Woodley found their rhythm although their chances were few and far between – the best being a fine run and shot by Ben Anderson and Max Laschok firing over the cross bar.

Sam McDermaid fired wide of Stroud’s goal five minutes before half time, while Woodley’s Bailey Hill had a free-kick tipped over the visitors' crossbar by Camben Laver.

United started the second half strongly with Anderson seeing a powerful shot rebound of the upright and Laschok getting into a good position only for the ball to get trapped beneath this feet.

Stroud kept the match goalless when he parried a shot which he saw late after 64 minutes.

Hill saw a second goalbound free-kick parried away by Laver, while Stroud again saved and Conor Clarke cleared on his goal-line as the game became stretched with both teams looking for a winner.

Woodley survived a scare with 15 minutes remaining when Town’s Ben Taylor hit the post, while good play involving Laschok and Anderson saw the latter shoot wide.

However, with the game edging towards a stalemate and penalties, United became stretched in defense allowing Silkstone to score the decisive goal in the 88th minute.

Woodley United visit Chalvey Sports in Division One East of the Hellenic League on Saturday (3pm), and then travel to Langley next Tuesday (7.45pm).