READING YMCA extended their unbeaten league run to an incredible 47 matches after a 1-1 draw at Premier Division leaders Woodcote Stoke Row.

The result ended Young Men’s 100% record as Woodcote became the first side to take points off them this season.

Nevertheless, YMCA have not tasted defeat in the Thames Valley League since March 19, 2016 and they remain firmly on track to defend their title.

Woodcote stay top on 52 points from 21 games, with Westwood United second and nine points adrift having played one more fixture.

But YMCA, who had won their opening 12 games, are lurking behind in fourth with 37 points and with a whopping eight matches in hand.

Saturday’s hotly-anticipated clash took place in freezing conditions at Woodcote Rec and in front of a decent crowd who braved the wintry weather Understandably, it soon became a midfield battle with neither side able to take control or show their true qualities.

YMCA created the better chances in the early stages with Woodcote keeper Sonny Wheeler producing two important saves in the opening 15 minutes to keep the scores level.

But the visitors broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a Dan Donegan penalty after Sam Green had handled in the box – with the referee awarding the spot-kick on advice from his assistant, a decision that angered the hosts.

Woodcote quickly recovered and equalised five minutes into the second half through Frank Dillon, whose 20-yard free-kick rebounded off the crossbar before hitting keeper Jamie Froude and landing in the net.

There was little goalmouth action after that as the game descended into a battle of attrition and ended honours even.

The sides lock horns again later this season when they meet in the Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup semi finals.

Meanwhile, Westwood United hit the goal trail with a 7-3 win at Wraysbury Village.

Brothers Alex and Jack Sergent both scored twice, with Matthew Badger, Christian Dowling and Jordan Tallett adding the other goals.

Third-placed Wright & Unity Sports crashed to a 4-0 home defeat to fifth-placed Newbury.

Carl Jenner, Ashley Beckett, Luke Gray and Danny Langford netted to fire Newbury to an impressive win.

Highmoor Ibis United kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-2 win at basement boys Taplow United in a battle between the bottom two clubs.

Augustinas Montvydas and Benjamin Borst scored for Taplow, but it was not enough.

Reading Chronicle:

Dan Donegan gave Reading YMCA the lead in the 1-1 draw with Woodcote Stoke Row.

Goals from Paul Sharpe and substitute Lee Hawkins helped Cookham Dean draw 2-2 at home with Berks County.

Hurst stunned Division One leaders FC Imaan Lions by winning 3-2 away to ease their relegation worries.

The clash looked like ending in a 2-2 draw after Shaun Bannon and James Roxburgh-Smith had scored for Hurst, with Aqeel Butt and Bilal Saleem netting for Imaan.

But Ollie Bridges clinched three much-needed points for Hurst with a last-gasp winner.

Bottom club Frilsham & Yattendon edged a nine-goal thriller 5-4 against Westwood United Reserves to boost their survival hopes.

Daniel Nicholson notched a brace and Matthew Evans and Michael Greenwood also scored for Westwood in their defeat.

Burghfield FC held on to third place in the table with a 2-0 win at Maidenhead Town, while Eldon Celtic won 3-1 at struggling Rotherfield United thanks to a Lemar Maycock double and Steven Francis goal.

Hurst Reserves remain bottom of Division Two, but gave themselves a lifeline with a 2-1 home win against mid-table Marlow United Reserves.

Noah Hodge scored an 89th-minute winner for Hurst after Joseph Peck had put them ahead.

Berks County Reserves were awarded a home win after opponents Brimpton Athletic failed to raise a side.

Woodley United A needed extra time to see off Division Three rivals Taplow United Reserves 6-4 and qualify for the next stage of the Reading Jubilee Cup.

Leaders Twyford & Ruscombe remain on course for the Division Four title thanks to a 2-1 victory at third-placed Taplow United A. Mikey Jones scored both of Twyford’s goals that left them 12 points clear second-placed Maidenhead Town A, who also won 2-1 against Farnham Royal Mavericks with goals from Sam Evans and Jack Sharpling. Taran Bansal replied for Farnham.

Meanwhile, Division One side Reading YMCA Rapids defeated Mortimer Reserves of Division Two 5-4 on penalties to reach the next round of the Berkshire Trophy Centre Intermediate Cup.

Andrej Homola and Ryan North netted for Rapids with Josh Beisley and Michael Hancock replying for Mortimer as the match ended 2-2 after extra time.

But Rapids, who had Michael Holder sent off for two bookings, kept their nerve in the shootout to prevail.

Division Three leaders Goring United also made it into the next round with a 3-2 home win against Division Two side White Eagles for whom Bartosz Mrozowski and Karol Seuc goals were not enough.