BOREHAM WOOD 0 MAIDSTONE UNITED 1
TEN-MAN Maidstone United battled their waypast Boreham Wood at Meadow Park thanks to Jake Cassidy’s early goal.
But it was goalkeeper Ross Worner who also earned the plaudits after saving Keiran Murtagh’s late penalty to ensure the points after Dan Wishart had been sent off.
It ended an otherwise traumatic week for the Stones with boss Harry Wheeler parting company with the club, leaving Tristan Lewis and Simon Walton in joint caretaker charge.
“You can’t put it into words,” said a relieved Walton. “When you put your faith into a group of players, like I have done, I could have wound up with egg on my face.
“Today was unbelievable and it is easy to say now, but it was thoroughly deserved. The work rate and everything that everyone has done in the last few weeks, all built up to today. They took on board what we said and got their rewards.”
The goal came just seven minutes in. George McLennan was found by Michael Phillips on the left and the full back got down the wing and whipped the ball on to the head of Cassidy, who nodded past Ryan Huddart.
Wood took their time to get into the game, but enjoyed a dominant period midway through the first half.
Murtagh and Manny Parry went close with efforts inside of the box, but neither hit the target.
The home side continued to control proceedings, but Maidstone were defending for their lives.
And their task was made all the more difficult when they were reduced to ten men – Wishart involved in an off-the-ball incident with Sorba Thomas.
It looked to have proved costly when Wood were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left when Worner came out to punch clear a loose ball, but instead, caught Shaibu.
However, the Stones stopper guessed correctly and saved Murtagh’s low penalty.
“We didn’t turn them, and the platform that we had up top wasn’t sticking – it didn’t allow us to get in touch with them,” said Wood boss Luke Garrard.
“It doesn’t change where I think this football club is going though. We had been on a great little run and we have extended our season, with the FA Trophy tie away to Blyth.”