United stay in touch (13.02.03)

A LAST-GASP victory at Hitchin Town has kept Maidenhead United in the hunt for a top-half finish to the season.
And, with up to four games in hand over higher placed teams, the Magpies could target a place in the top eight – if only they could improve on their indifferent home form.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Magpies have a chance to demonstrate they can perform at York Road, when they entertain title-chasing Hendon.
Unfortunately, it is only a half-chance, as the London side are unbeaten in the league since mid-November – when they sank to a 2-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood – and also have the best away record in the Division, having lost just once in 13 outings.
However, Saturday’s showing in Hertfordshire does give United grounds for optimism, as their understrength side dominated the Canaries for long periods of the game and should have sealed the result long before Paul Kelly’s last-minute penalty bulged the net.
Manager Alan Devonshire said: “The boys needed a kick up the backside at half-time on Saturday, but after that I thought we played okay.
“We had a few players short on fitness and sharpness, but I was very pleased with the way we dug in and stuck at it.
“Yaku did very, very well. He got two goals and won the penalty. He was the difference on the day.
“And we had a decision go our way for once. It keeps us on target to climb a bit higher.”
And, with injured, suspended and new players now becoming available, United should be able to field a stronger side for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) clash.
New signing Jermaine Hunter could feature in the starting line-up as a potential stand-in for Yaku, who is doubtful for the game after picking up a knock on Saturday, while Orlando Jeffrey will make his return from suspension.