Maidenhead Utd 3

Aldershot Town 3

THIS may have been the sort of game for which Non-League Day was invented – tumultuous, passionate and backed by a great atmosphere – but Shots manager Gary Waddock was not a satisfied customer.

A crowd swelled by fans of Premier League and Championship clubs, without a game themselves due to the international break, witnessed a thrilling match whose result hung in the balance until the final seconds, much to the chagrin of the Aldershot Town boss.

“Everyone will look at the scoreline and think it was a great game,” grimaced Waddock, “but I wanted to come here and win. I’m fed up of drawing or losing games – we get ourselves into a good position, and we end up chasing the game at the end after being in a fairly healthy, strong position.”

The Shots had indeed made a positive start and led on 16 minutes, as Will Evans’ fine diagonal pass invited Scott Rendell to direct a header into the six-yard box, where Jim Kellermann slid in ahead of his marker.

Waddock’s point, though, was proved less than two minutes later, as Harry Pritchard slid a pass into the path of Adrian Clifton on the left side of the penalty area to chip a shot over the onrushing Jake Cole.

A frenetic game continued without respite, although the endeavor yielded few clear chances. Fabien Robert brought a fine save from Pentney with a hooked volley toward the bottom corner, and soon Cole was off his line to block Pritchard’s break forward.

Pentney made another save from Robert and the Frenchman – who on Monday extended his loan from Forest Green Rovers – was heavily involved as the visitors forced themselves back in front on 42 minutes. Exchanging passes with Shamir Fenelon down the right, Robert crossed to the near post for Adam McDonnell to guide a deft header into the net.

Half-time substitute Dean Inman signalled his intent soon after the re-start, with a header from a long-throw, and it was precisely that route which brought The Magpies’ equaliser on 63 minutes, as the ball looped over to the far-post and ricocheted in off Cole’s shin.

Jake Hyde was wayward with a couple of headers, and Kellermann, Robert and Cheye Alexander all had shots blocked as the second-half yielded few clear chances, and Maidenhead were gifted the lead on 85 minutes. Sam Barratt’s deep corner found Will de Havilland stretching to prevent Inman getting a free header on goal but only succeeded in getting his fingertips to the ball, allowing Pritchard to drive in an impressive penalty.

The Shots, though, were not beaten yet. Will Evans battled in midfield, and James Rowe evaded a rash challenge to find space to chip a cross toward the six-yard box. Rendell chested the ball down into the path of Kellermann’s run and his shot bounced in off the post.

The celebrations from the 700-strong travelling support suggested that this was a hard-won and valuable point but Waddock was correct in his assertion that The Shots need to put together a winning run to stay in touch at the top.

Maidenhead United: Pentney, Clerima, Kilman, Massey, Goodman (Inman 46), Odametey, Pritchard, Comley, Upward, Hyde (Barratt 78), Clifton (Smith 86). Subs (not used): Steer, Peters.

Aldershot Town: Cole; Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Arthur (de Havilland 74); McDonnell (Rowe 74), Oyeleke, Kellermann; Fenelon (Okojie 82), Rendell, Robert. Subs (not used): Smith, Fowler.

Attendance: 2,425.

n On Saturday, Aldershot Town take a break from league action as they take on fellow National League side Torquay United in the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA?Cup at the EBB?Stadium (kick-off 3pm). The prize at stake for the winners is a place in the first round proper.

n Shots boss Gary Waddock has allowed two young defenders to leave the club in loan deals.

Kodi Lyons-Foster has joined National League South side Whitehawk for an initial one-month spell, while right-back Luca Wrightman has joined Bostik Premier Division club Worthing until the end of the year.

Lyons-Foster, 20, has made two first-team appearances since joining The Shots on trial in July, and 17-year-old Wrightman – a graduate of the club’s academy who plays as either a right back or right winger – has also made two appearances this season, having previously enjoyed a loan spell at Canvey Island in the second half of last season.