CANVEY-based Tony Stokes was West Ham's saviour as the Irons Reserves twice came from a goal down to snatch a 2-2 Barclays Premier Reserve League draw with Arsenal at Upton Park last night.

Former Castle View School pupil Stokes, 20, was on hand to smash home a superb volley with just nine minutes remaining to snatch a point for Kevin Keen's side.

Having been dropped to the substitutes' bench in favour of the fit-again Nigel Quashie, Stokes made his point to Keen with a superb finish from Jack Widdowson's cross.

Earlier, winger Kyel Reid has given first team manager Alan Curbishley another reminder of his considerable talents with a lively display.

The 19-year-old was in superb form against the Gunners, putting in a performance that could see the teenager called into the Hammers' injury-ravaged first team squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to Derby County.

The visitors took the lead through Nacer Barazite five minutes after half-time.

However West Ham, spurred on by a healthy crowd of 557, hit back just eight minutes later when England Under-18 international Jordan Spence was on hand to stab home after Basildon's James Tomkins had headed down Nigel Quashie's cross.

The home side then took control of proceedings, only to be hit with a second Arsenal goal against the run of play with just 14 minutes remaining through substitute Mark Randall.

Before Randall's winner, Irons captain Jack Collison had twice gone close, while Reid also curled a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.

Meanwhile, highly-rated Spanish midfielder Fran Merida was in excellent form for the North London side, forcing Jimmy Walker into a succession of saves.

Last night's draw left Keen's side unbeaten in three matches and sitting in sixth place in the ten-team league table.

West Ham Reserves: Walker, Miller, Widdowson, Spence, Tomkins, Hales, Collison, Quashie (Hunt 88), Jeffrey, Hines, Reid (Stokes 68). Unused Subs: Blackwell, N'Gala, O'Neill.

WEST Ham striker Craig Bellamy has been ruled out of Wales' Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland on November 17 in Cardiff or Germany in Frankfurt on November 21 with a persistent groin and abdominal problem.