Easter bank holiday blanks round off week to forget for Dev’s Magpies

Alan Devonshire has had a couple of weeks to forget after Maidenhead United failed to pick up points from either of their Easter bank holiday weekend fixtures against Weymouth and Eastleigh.

The Magpies were left bewildered at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Good Friday after the Terras came from behind to snatch a late 2-1 victory following a questionable red card for Manny Parry after what looked a firm but fair challenge on Pierre Fonkeu.

Then, on Monday afternoon,

Ben Strevens’ Spitfires dealt Maidenhead's play-off hopes further damage when they scored late on at York Road after the Magpies had once again been reduced to 10 men.

Josh Coley will now serve a four-match suspension for his petulant kick out at Andrew Boyce.

“I can’t lie, all in all, it has been a very disappointing week,” said Devonshire. “On Friday, I believe the ref’s decisions cost us the game. The boys were comfortable, looking to kill the game off, and then Manny got sent off which was an absolute disgrace.

“They (Weymouth) scored a fluke goal in the 88th minute where the wind took the ball over Taye (Ashby-Hammond), and then they got a penalty in four-and-a-half minutes of added time.

“I have no idea where the ref got that from because the game wasn’t stopped in any way shape or form. I can’t knock the boys for that loss because without some of those decisions, we would’ve won. I think Manny’s red card was rescinded within five minutes of the FA looking at it.”

Maidenhead have now lost three consecutive league games and, while Devonshire has never explicitly said his side were competing for the play-offs, he admits they have to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

“I’ve never talked about playoffs. Other people have,” he said.

“We’re always about taking it one game at a time. If we could win four or five on the trot, which we would have to do now with 15 games to go, then we could look at it.

“But until then, we have to get as many points as we can.

“We’ve got Barnet next and then two tough away fixtures. It’s going to be a difficult week with a lot of travelling,” Devonshire added. “I’ll talk after that, and if we have a good week or bad week, it will probably let us know where we’ll be come the end of the season.”