HATTERS SLIP AS MAGPIES FLY AGAIN

RYAN Upward’s second half strike forced a replay after Maidenhead United recovered from a slow start at York Road.

The United midfielder, who was dictating play at times in the second period, volleyed the Magpies level after a goal-mouth scramble in the 57th minute.

Matty Warburton fired the visitors in front from Scott Duxbury’s low cross in the eighth minute, and, but for some desperate last-ditch defending, might have had another to show for their efforts before the break.

But, they withdrew Warburton at the break for centre-half Michael Clark, and Maidenhead sensed an opportunity.

Playing down the slope at York Road, Maidenhead saw plenty of the ball, but on too many occasions their final ball went awry.

But their pressure finally told in the 57th minute when Jake Goodman forced the ball back across the face of County’s goal and Upward turned it home on the volley to make it 1-1.

The Magpies dominated the final 30 minutes, without really creating a clearcut opportunity until the final few minutes, when a glut of them arrived at once.

Adrian Clifton was denied by Ben Hinchcliffe, who then stood up well to keep out Upward at pointblank range. Upward’s injury-time corner glanced the crossbar and, from the follow up, Harry Pritchard’s side-footed effort was blocked away.

Clifton did have the ball in the net with a terrific strike, but only after referee Samuel Allison had blown the full-time whistle.

Reflecting on the draw, Alan Devonshire said: “At the end of the day, they did well. The pitch was heavy, but credit to both teams.

“We could have won it at the end couldn’t we. I thought we played better in the second half, but we’ve now had a look at each other and we’ll see what happens on Tuesday.”