AN injury-time strike from Michael Porter earned Woodley United a 1-1 draw at home to Thatcham Town in their Premier Division encounter on Monday night.

While Town shaded the first half, which required Alex Reed to be at his best, United enjoyed the better of the second period, seeing two efforts cleared off the Thatcham goal line.

And it was against the run of play that the visitors took the lead on 68 minutes when a quick break saw the ball played from Thatcham’s right to left wing, enabling Josh Helmore to fire into the far post when one-on-one with Reed.

Undeterred, United continued to press the Thatcham goal, winning a number of free-kicks.

And it was from one in the second of six minutes of stoppage time that Porter got the final touch in a crowded penalty area to level the scores and give the hosts their fourth point from three games under the stewardship of new manager James Anderson.

The Kestrels were knocked out of the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup, however, going down to an extra-time defeat to county rivals Binfield 1-0 at Hill Farm Lane on Friday night.

Neither side could make the breakthrough in a normal time during which there were few clear-cut chances, but Gary Smith turned home Charlie Tuttle’s cross in the first half of extra time to fire the Moles into the next round.

Woodley United travel to Lydney Town on Saturday (3pm), before hosting Brackley Town Saints on Monday (7.45pm).

  • NINE-MAN Highmoor Ibis crashed out of the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle as they lost 2-0 at home to Windsor on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Joash Dembhard and Kieran Knight proved decisive, while Luke Cox and Devonn Reid received their marching orders. Windsor also had Ashley Smith sent off in the first half.

Highmoor Ibis will try and gain revenge when they visit Windsor in the Premier Division on Saturday (3pm) and Thatcham Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).