Jake Young was an unlikely scorer as West Ham United Under-18s scored a 2-1 FA Premier Academy League victory over Bristol City at Little Heath.
Right-back Young put the Hammers in front in the first half before Dominic Vose continued his fine recent run of form with a low finish midway through the second period. The visitors pulled a goal back through Shelton Gooden, but it was not enough to deny the home side victory.
Saturday's success lifted Nick Haycock's team to within four points of Group A leaders Arsenal. Both sides have four league matches still to play.
There were chances galore against Bristol City, with both teams guilty of missing opportunity after opportunity. West Ham started the strongest, however, and took the lead through Young's diving header.
Elliot Lee headed over and schoolboy Kieran Bywater fired over from 20 yards before Vose's tricky wingplay earned his side a corner. The winger himself took the flag-kick, which eluded Leo Chambers and was controlled on the thigh before being headed into the bottom corner by Young for his first goal of the season.
Having gone ahead, Matthias Fanimo fired a left-foot shot over the top before Bristol City had their first real opportunity, only for Bobby Reid to volley over from 12 yards.
Into the second half and the Robins came close again when Lewis Hall ended a driving run by poking the ball past Sam Baxter and a yard wide of the target, and again when Reid curled a shot against the crossbar from 25 yards.
West Ham settled again, however, and doubled their advantage when Blair Turgott's shot bounced off the goalkeeper and the base of the post before falling to Vose to finish with his left foot.
Bristol City did not give up and were rewarded when Baxter parried Reid's shot into the path of Gooden, who converted from ten yards.
Into the closing stages and Vose and Young both saw efforts fly narrowly wide as the Hammers finished the stronger to complete a 12th league victory of the season and keep them in with an outside chance of winning the title.
The U18s return to action on Saturday when they travel to Cardiff City for another inter-group fixture.