The Reading Sunday League Division Three West champions made it eight wins in a row at Reading Town’s Scours Lane ground, despite falling behind to a first-half Ben Dearlove strike.

They levelled through the club’s Player of the Season Chris Gerrard in the 70th-minute, before Jaimie Deller and topscorer Kyrone Nelson sealed a famous victory.

Maher admitted his side’s success – played out in front of a crowd of about 150 – had not been easy.

He confessed: “I thought they were the best team we’ve played all season and they are obviously a good cup side having won the Berks & Bucks Junior Trophy.

“They had us on the run for about an hour but we changed formation and were a bit younger and came out on top.

“We are all unbelievably happy with the result.”

AFC Pangbourne had only formed as a club at the start of the season – attracting a number of players from Division One West strugglers Pangbourne – and ended with a phenomenal record of losing just three times in 23 games in all competitions.

They won Division Three West by seven points, winning 13 of their 16 games, while drawing once and losing just two.

They scored an astonishing 77 goals – averaging almost five per match – and conceded just 17 times.

Maher continued: “I think our results speak for themselves and I’m proud of our boys – it’s our first season and it’s been a memorable one.

“We want to build the club up and up and we’re adding another team next season. We want to be in the Senior Division and there should be a team from Pangbourne in there.”

Refelecting on the season, Maher said: “It has been a brilliant team effort. Chris (Gerrard) and Kyrone (Nelson) have been important and Gavin Mackie has been brilliant down the left hand side.

“It has been a real team effort, though, and the players deserve lots of credit.”