Magpies match Seagulls (19.11.05)

A BACK-TO-BASICS performance earned the Magpies a point in Somerset on Saturday, and did much to restore confidence which had been smashed by the heavy defeats of last week.
In a bid to shore up the defence, Maidenhead boss Carl Taylor opted to play a line of three across the middle at the back and was rewarded by a first-half display which saw the Magpies go into the break with a deserved lead.
United dominated the first period to the extent that the usual home and away roles were reversed, Weston’s agricultural playing style producing just one noteworthy attack on 13 minutes when a swift counter attack put Marvin Brown through, but Magpies keeper Scott Tarr was alive to the danger and saved well.
But after that it was one-way traffic, with Seagulls keeper Ryan Northmore called into action on 16 minutes, when he dived full length to push away a Matt Glynn free-kick.
A minute later Ryan Parsons went close with a shot following good work from Eric Kwakye.
The opening goal came on 38 minutes from the penalty spot, after Stephen Hughes was bundled over in the box, Glynn coolly slotting the ball into the right corner.
On 42 minutes a great run by Nana Badu down the right wing saw the big forward cut the ball back to striking partner Kwakye, whose shot grazed the crossbar, confirming United’s dominance with the half-time whistle imminent.
Weston boss Frank Gregan set to work in the break in an attempt to get his team back into the game, making a double substitution and more importantly pushing former Sheffield Wednesday star Mark McKeever up the field.
An archetypal game of two halves then began to develop, with the Seagulls keeping the Magpies under the cosh.
The score was levelled on 69 minutes when a deep cross from the left by substitute Scott Walker was diverted back across goal by McKeever for Brown to head home.
With Weston rampant the Magpies fans feared the worst, but the introduction of Lee Newman with 13 minutes to go restored the balance and an exciting climax to the game ensued.
With two minutes left the diminutive striker made a tricky run through the Weston defence and was only denied by the feet of Northmore.
Weston then quickly broke away, McKeever going clear only for Tarr to save bravely at his feet.
With injury time looming, Taylor sent on John Bacon and the towering attacker almost won the game at the death, when he headed a Brendan Gallen corner past the keeper only for the post to intervene.
With seconds left on the clock Glynn was dismissed for a second bookable offence, adding a sour flavour to an otherwise entertaining game.

POWERHOUSE: Stephen Hughes put his strength to good use at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.