Maidenhead United let two goal lead slip as Eastleigh salvage last-gasp draw

Eastleigh 2, Maidenhead United 2

Maidenhead United should really have been out of sight at the Silverlake Stadium last night (Tuesday), long before Eastleigh battled back in the final 10 minutes to rescue a draw.

Harold Odametey’s clinical finish in the 41st minute, having been one of several players to hit the woodwork for United in the first half, gave the Magpies a deserved lead.

Earlier the Magpies had gone close on several occasions, with Moses Emmanuel striking the base of the post in the 30th minute from Christian Smith’s through ball. Sean Marks, making his first start for the side since early September because of injury, then bundled the ball over the bar from close range as the visitors finished the first half firmly in control.

United made a similarly enterprising start to the second half, and when Harry Pritchard thumped home a 51st minute penalty, when Sam Barratt was bundled over in the penalty area, Maidenhead looked to be en route to a comfortable three points.

It wasn’t to be however as Richard Hill’s Spitfires flew back into contention after the manager made a triple substitution in the 68th minute. Galvanised by fresh legs and fresh ideas the Spitfires threw caution to the wind and when Pritchard was guilty of fouling Ben Williamson in the area with six minutes to play the home side were awarded a penalty.

Ayo Obileye beat Carl Pentney from 12 yards to set up a frantic finale.

James Mulley, who had only come onto the field as a second half substitute, was then given his marching orders for a high tackle, leaving the Magpies shorthanded going into five minutes of stoppage time.

It seemed that Pentney would dig the Magpies out of their hole as he pulled off a couple of stunning saves, the second of which was a world class dive low to his right to keep out a header from substitute Craig McAllister.

But, with one of their last attacks, Eastleigh rescued a point their overall performance didn’t deserve. Williamson collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a brilliant equaliser past Pentney into the top corner.

The result was harsh on the Magpies who this morning should be celebrating their first league win since their 3-2 success at Bromley last month.

Maidenhead United: Pentney, Clerima, Odametey, Massey ©, Emmanuel, Marks, Barratt, Pritchard, Kilman, Goodman, Smith. Subs: Steer, Hyde, Upward, Peters, Mulley.

Attendance: 1,525 (80 Maidenhead)

Other scores: 

Banbury United 2, Slough Town 2

Windsor 2, Abingdon United 3

Bolton 2, Reading 2