Top of the Potts

Danny Potts completed a tremedous week by notching a last-gasp equaliser for the development squad at Gillingham this afternoon.

Danny, the son of former Hammer Steve was called up to the first team squad for the first time at the KC Stadium last weekend, as Sam Allardyce's team ran out 2-0 winners.

And this afternoon the 17-year-old popped up deep into time added on at the end of a friendly against Gillingham to snatch a deserved draw for his team and coach Ian Hendon, against the club from whom the coach was poached during the summer.

The Hammers took the lead just ahead of the quarter-hour mark when loanee Brian Montenegro nodded home a Dominic Vose corner. The game remained at 1-0 until the half time break, with the Hammers in good spirit and form.

However two second half goals from the Gills within seven minutes turned the game in favour of the home side. The Kent side pulled level just nine minutes after the restart when Payne scored from close range after a quick break. They then took the lead on the hour mark through Oli, who cooly lobbed approaching Hammers 'keeper Jake Larkin.

That's how it looked like staying until 17-year-old Potts was first to react to a loose ball in the Gillingham six-yard box following a West Ham free kick which the youngster duly smahed home.

Although Ian Hendon's side was compiled primarily of Academy youngsters, Guy Demel - yet to make his first team debut despite signing for the club in August - and the returning Cristian Montano also featured, as did a mysterious, unnamed triallist.

West Ham Utd XI: Kurucz (Larkins), Driver (Chambers), Demel (Young), Potts, Brown, Wearen (Trialist), Moncur (Fanimo), Lee, Montano, Vose (Turgott), Montenegro.

Gillingham XI: Gazzaniga (Hawkes), Evans (Hare), Carter, Rance, King, Essam (Brunt), Montrose (Hessenthaler), Payne, Brown (Dack), Oli (Haysman), Payne.