- West Ham United U18s drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Little Heath
- Substitute Malyk Hamilton scored a late equaliser to earn the Hammers a share of the spoils
- Assistant manager Mark Phillips felt he side more than deserved the point
Malyk Hamilton scored a late equaliser as West Ham United U18s battled from behind to draw with Arsenal at Little Heath.
The Canadian youngster entered the fray just before the hour mark, replacing the returning Anthony Scully, and connected with Korrey Henry's cutback to give the Hammers a deserved share of the spoils.
Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead on the stroke of half time but the home side created numerous chances in the second half and finally found the breakthrough eight minutes from time.
"I think a point was the least we deserved. I'd probably go as far as saying we shaded the game," said assistant manager Mark Phillips.
"We had six U18s that played for the U23 side last night so it's a good achievement from us to get the win."
Manager Steve Potts made two changes to the side which beat Aston Villa last weekend - Anthony Scully and Reece Hannam came in for Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Alfie Lewis, who both appeared in the Premier League 2 side's victory away at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup on Friday night.
This meant a significant reshuffle with Ben Johnson moving into the centre of midfield, partnering Conor Coventry, to accommodate Scully who played on the left hand side on an attacking three.
Rosaire Longelo moved further forward with Hannam slotting in at left-back and the Hammers began the better of the two sides with Hannam's cross put just wide by Jake Eggleton.
Korrey Henry and Joe Powell both sent long range efforts over the bar before Arsenal took the lead when Nketiah dinked the ball over 'keeper Rihards Matrevics just before half-time.
The Hammers emerged from the interval with much more intensity and had a string of chances to equalise.
The best of their openings came when Hannam and Eggleton combined once again, only for the latter to send a powerful volley against the crossbar.
The Hammers persistence paid of with 83 minutes on the clock - Henry found space in the area and squared the ball to substitute Hamilton who planted the ball into the net.
The goal meant the Hammers kept up their recent good form - it's now four games unbeaten for the young Irons and they enter the half way point in the season in second place of the U18 Premier League South table.
"We've had a great first-half of the season. The boys that have come in, especially the younger lads, have done brilliantly for us," added Phillips.
West Ham U18s: Matrevics; Eggleton, Akinola, Wells, Hannam; Coventry, Johnson; Longelo, Powell, Scully (Hamilton, 58); Henry.
Subs not used: Ngakia, Forde, Constantinou, Barrett, Alese.
Goals: Hamilton.