MAIDENHEAD United and Slough Town fought out a thriller at York Road on Tuesday night, with the Magpies stealing the win with a dramatic last-minute strike.
United took the lead on seven minutes, when triallist Grant Keywood found himself clear of a static Slough defence and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper Stuart MacKenzie.
Slough equalised on 24 minutes, when Tony Boot scored with a terrific 25-yard shot that flew past Reserve keeper Nick Hart.
The lead was restored right on half-time and it was the goal of the game. Rob Saunders advanced 20 yards before releasing Lawrence Yaku down the right. The new striker beat his man before firing in a low cross to the near post which Adrian Allen tucked past MacKenzie.
On 65 minutes it was 3-1. Yaku was up-ended in the area by former Paul Reed, and Matt Glynn tucked away the resulting penalty.
That prompted a flurry of substitutions and Slough took full advantage when former Stevenage Borough midfielder Christian Metcalfe fired home a 20-yard shot which gave Hart little chance.
It was nearly all Slough as the inexperienced Maidenhead side found it difficult against more senior players, so it was little surprise that on 82 minutes the Rebels equalised. They were awarded a direct free-kick right on the edge of the area and new signing, striker Steve Hale (a former partner of Yaku’s at Northwood) struck the ball home.
But the drama was not complete. As the game approached it’s finale the diminutive Keywood struck a speculative 30-yard shot with the outside of his boot which gave Jackman little chance as it sailed into the top corner.