FANS WILL BE A VITAL 12TH MAN FOR SHOTS

GARY WADDOCK reckons the Aldershot Town fans will prove to be their all-important 12th man on Saturday after earning themselves a play-off lifeline at Grange Lane.

This comprehensive win over relegated North Ferriby, coupled with Dover’s shock home defeat to Torquay, means Waddock’s men will be assured of the fourth and final play-off place with victory over Braintree at the weekend.

Livewire Bernard Mensah stole the show yesterday with two goals before Scott Rendell’s close-range finish wrapped up the points for the Shots to set up a showdown on Saturday.

“It’s been a good day,” Waddock said. “The playoff spot is now in our own hands and I’m hoping the ground is full for next Saturday’s game.

“We were very professional from start to finish. We stepped up a gear in the second half and I’m pleased with the clean sheet and the three points.”

Aldershot took their Both sides had shots hit the post and deep in added time Ferriby had two attempts cleared off the line as they chased the goal that they deserved. Matt McClure, Kundai Benyu and Arnold were a constant threat for the visitors while Ryna Fallowfield and Thompson worked hard for Ferriby in an open and end-to-end game. Ferriby manager Steve Housham was philosophical after wards, saying: “We lost to a good team. “We could probably have defended better for a couple of the goals and we also had our own chances towards the end. “I would have liked us to produce a win for our supporters who have been tremendous throughout the season.” time to get going but it was they who took the lead on 31 minutes when Mensah rose to head home Nick Arnold’s nicely flighted cross.

Ferriby came out fighting for the second half without really threatening Jake Cole’s goal and Mensah duly punished them on 62 minutes when firing home from close range after being set up by substitute Rendell with his first touch.

And it was Rendell, himself, who provided the killer blow eight minutes from time with a nearpost header after losing his marker at a corner.

The Shots, however, had keeper Cole to thank for another clean sheet as he produced two fine saves to deny Connor Oliver and Reece Thompson.