Battling Magpies fight on to the bitter end (29.08.05)

A GRITTY performance from Maidenhead United won a hard-earned point courtesy of a last-minute goal at Lewes on Sunday.
Dennis Greene fielded an enterprising 3-5-2 formation, introducing another three debutants in the form of defenders Ronnie Fletcher and Olawale Ojelabi, and former Lewes striker Lee Newman, who received a rapturous welcome from the home fans.
In addition Bryan Smith returned from injury.
The first half saw both teams struggling to get out of first gear in the stifling heat, neither side producing a noteworthy attempt on goal until the 41st minute, when Karl Beckford was given the time and space to fire a shot past the despairing dive of Paul McCarthy.
The goal boosted the confidence of the home team and they took control of the game in the second half.
The United fight back was once again ignited by the introduction of the tall, awkward striker John Bacon with 20 minutes left.
Almost immediately the Magpies won a free-kick on the left-hand edge of the penalty area.
With Bacon keeping the defence occupied, the ball was swung across to the right where Lee Newman put the ball past the keeper to allow fellow debutant Olawale Ojelabi to pop the ball over the line.
With the heat sapping the energy from tiring legs, gaps began to appear at both ends, and with nine minutes remaining a John Robinson cross found the unmarked Jean Michel Sigere, who headed home from close range.
The Magpies surged forward in a bid to level the scores, inspired by some strong running from defence by Ojelabi, who had been forced to watch from the sidelines since the start of the season, while waiting for international clearance from the Nigerian FA.
He went close with an effort which hit the underside of the crossbar, only to be cautioned for handling the ball.
The equaliser came with seconds of normal time left.
Following some good work on the left from Kelvin McIntosh, Stephen Hughes converted a cross.
In the five minutes of injury time both teams had chances to win the game. Beckford hit another humdinger of a shot only for McCarthy to tip the ball around the post.
Then a driving run from McIntosh put Newman through only for his weak shot to be comfortably gathered by Paul Wilkerson in the Lewes goal.

HOT SHOT: Summer signing Olawale Ojelabi made a big impact on his club debut on Sunday, scoring United’s second-half equaliser.