WREXHAM WOE WITH WHITE HOT WHITEHALL

TWO GOALS from Danny Whitehall earned Maidenhead United a much needed victory, while leaving Wrexham perilously in the relegation zone.

The Magpies frontman opened the scoring with a composed 22nd-minute finish before finishing the Dragons off with a second seven minutes into the second half.

It capped a fine response from the Magpies following their 3-0 defeat at Notts County 48 hours earlier – Alan Devonshire’s men showing an attacking intensity to try and get themselves swiftly in the ascendancy.

“I felt like we were in control today and comfortable,” Devonshire said.

“We didn’t have a lot to do. I think overall we were very good.”

Devonshire’s side started the brighter and never relented. James Comley showed quick feet to sidestep two incoming challenges before getting a shot away that was blocked and cleared to safety.

And five minutes later, Maidenhead got their reward when a long ball down the left wing allowed Seth Twumasi to whip a ball into Whitehall, who turned home the low cross past Rob Lainton to give the Magpies an invaluable lead.

Maidenhead’s resilient defence reduced Wrexham to just registering one shot on target for the whole of the match – and that came just one minute after Whitehall’s goal.

A foul on Bobby Grant allowed Luke Summerfield to curl a free-kick round the wall and force keeper Chris Dunn to make a low save to his right.

Devonshire was forced into making a substitution before the break when Shamir Fenelon was replaced for Josh Kelly, merely as a precaution for the winger who had previously been sidelined for nine weeks.

Still, Maidenhead’s continued intensity proved to be too much for Wrexham to handle after the break and Lainton was forced into making a costly mistake by sending a clearance straight to Whitehall who made no mistake, rifling a shot past the back pedalling keeper.

Frustration began to set in for Wrexham and the visitors struggled to test Dunn in between the sticks with any chances worth noting.

In the final 15 minutes, Akintunde was unfortunate not to hit the target from Comley’s crossfield ball and Remi Clerima was also unable a minute later, hitting a wild attempt out of York Road.

The full-time whistle ensured Maidenhead would strengthen their position out of the relegation spots, leaving Wrexham firmly entrenched within them, still a point from safety.

Wrexham boss Dean Keates added: “We didn’t start bright and we weren’t consistent. We’re disappointed we haven’t picked up three points today.”