Magpies fail to hang on (20.12.03)

DEFENSIVE errors in the final quarter of the match cost Maidenhead United dear in a game they could have won on Saturday.
The Magpies started the game with a makeshift defence, manager John Dreyer playing centre-back due to Andy Jennings continued absence on honeymoon, and veteran keeper Gary Phillips standing in between the sticks with both Nick Hart and Phil Wilson unavailable.
In midfield Mark Boyce returned on the right flank after suspension.
With the wind at their backs, United dominated the first half, behaving as if they were at home, restricting the Ks to attacking on the break.
Despite a wholehearted performance from both teams, their recently indifferent league form told the tale of the half, as both keepers had a fairly quiet first 45 minutes.
The best chances for United fell to on-loan striker Jamie Brooks. Linking up well with Lawrence Yaku he constantly threatened the K’s area.
However it was Kingstonian’s Stafford Browne who came closest to breaking the deadlock. On 21 minutes Browne slipped his marker and fired in a shot from the edge of the box which was well saved by Phillips.
After the break the change of ends signalled a change in the pattern of play with Kingstonian gradually taking control.
Their dominance was enhanced by the introduction on 57 minutes of ex-Woking and Aldershot striker Grant Payne.
Payne proved himself to be a constant menace to the United defence and Phillips was called into action on an increasingly frequent basis as the match wore on.
However it was United who put the ball in the net first on 67 minutes when some good play by Brooks put Yaku through to fire the ball home. Unfortunately for the Magpies the goal was ruled out for off-side.
Kingstonian took the lead on 72 minutes in farcical circumstances. A corner from substitute Anthony Savage swung in high towards the far post. Phillips attempted to claim the cross but in doing so palmed the ball into his own net.
Despite this setback the Magpies continued to show great spirit and endeavour, and levelled proceedings on 82 minutes when a Mark Boyce cross was fired home by Craig Farley.
It was a great finish by Farley, his first goal for United, and a deserved reward for a hardworking performance.
Just as the travelling Maidenhead fans were beginning to think about leaving Kingsmeadow with a point or even all three, Kingstonian struck decisively.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, and virtually every member of both teams camped in the Ks half, Kingstonian substitute Didier Moundi cleared the ball long. K’s man of the match Chris Bangura outpaced last defender Steve Sanders, picked up the ball and gave Phillips no chance with his shot.
Kingstonian dominated the dying moments of the game and had several great chances to add to the score.
They took just one, an unmarked Payne tapping in from two yards following a corner.
This result leaves the Magpies two places adrift of that vital 13th place and facing the daunting prospect of playing two of the top three teams over the holiday period starting with Hayes tomorrow (Saturday).