West Ham dumped out of Carling Cup by Aldershot Town

The Hammers led 1-0 at half time through Junior Stanislas’s strike but the match turned at the start of the second half when debutant Callum McNaugton was sent off.

Aldershot dominated the second half and efforts from Luke Guttride and an 88th minute goal from Danny Hylton condemned United to defeat. The home supporters signalled their disgust with a chorus of boos as their winless start to the season at Upton Park took a turn for the worse.

Sam Allardyce handed a full debut to former Aston Villa striker John Carew. George McCartney made his first start since rejoining the club for his second spell at Upton Park. He lined up alongside 19-year-old centre-back McNaughton on his debut.

The Hammers picked a fairly strong team, despite making nine changes from the draw with Leeds, as the two survivors from the weekend were captain Kevin Nolan and Winston Reid.

The visitors gave West Ham a real scare early on when Jake Taylor raced clear on goal but Belgian goalkeeper Ruud Boffin managed to save his effort.

West Ham opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Ben Herd gave possession away. Stanislas picked up the ball and curled an effort from outside the area into the corner of the net.

United cut the visitors open midway through the half when Pablo Barrera pulled the ball back but Carew’s back heel lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Jamie Young.

The Hammers nearly doubled their lead after 26 minutes when Stanislas fired in another effort but Young spectacular pushed the ball to safety.

Aldershot came close to grabbing an equaliser just before the break from Aaron Morris’s header but Stanislas managed to block the ball on the goal line.

The Irons suffered a major setback two minutes into the second half when McNaughton gave away the ball and was sent off for bringing down Hylton who was racing towards goal.

Allardyce made an immediate tactical change, following the red card, as he brought on defender Herita Ilunga for Carew. Matt Taylor was also introduced in place of Pablo Barrera.

The Hammers nearly added a second goal eight minutes after the break when Stanislas, who was their biggest threat, stung the fingers of Young with another powerful strike.

Peter Vincenti worked his way into a good position just outside the home penalty area but his shot squirmed harmlessly wide of Boffin’s goal.

Alex Rodman also had an attempt at goal but his long-range effort narrowly went past the far post. The visitors were noticeably growing in confidence and ambition with the extra man.

The hosts made their final change with 21 minutes remaining when Frank Nouble replaced Frederic Piquionne.

West Ham were indebted to Julien Faubert after 73 minutes when his brilliant tackle denied substitute Jermaine McGlashan when through on goal.

The Irons were so close to sealing the win when Taylor’s header was deflected just wide of the post.

Aldershot grabbed their equaliser in the 77th minute and it was no real surprise after having the better of the second half. Rodman’s close-range shot was blocked by Boffin’s feet but Guttridge followed up to smash in the rebound.

The League Two side were looking the more likely winners and they nearly took the lead in the 82nd minute when substitute Michael Rankine’s shot just cleared the crossbar.

Aldershot came inches away from grabbing the winner two minutes later when the dangerous McGlashan headed just over the bar.

United really were desperately holding on and they were grateful to Boffin after the shot stopper turned Hylton’s strike round the post.

Aldershot stunned the home fans in the 88th minute when they deservedly took the lead. The ball fell into the path of Hylton and he kept his composure to send his shot into the far corner past Boffin.

A chorus of boos rang out from the Hammers supporters after a shocking second-half performance. There was five minutes of injury time but West Ham were unable to create a notable chance and were sent crashing out of the Carling Cup to the League Two side.

West Ham: Boffin; Reid, McCartney, Faubert, McNaughton; Barrera (Taylor, 53), Nolan, Sears, Stanislas, Piquionne (Nouble. 69); Carew (Ilunga, 49)

Aldershot Town: Young; Herd, Straker, Jones; Guttridge, Collins, Morris, Taylor (Rankine, 55), Vincenti (McGlashan, 65); Hylton, Rodman

Referee: Graham Scott

Attendance: 19,879