AKINTUNDE AND ALFA PILE PAIN ON MOORS

ALAN Devonshire praised his Maidenhead United side’s defensive fortitude as they completed the double over Solihull Moors.

For the fifth league game in a row, play-off hopefuls Moors failed to find the back of the net.

Instead, two sweetly finished goals from James Akintunde and sub Ody Alfa earned the Magpies back-to-back wins to boost their hopes of pushing clear off the drop zone.

Victory leaves them seven points clear of fourth-bottom Chesterfield, though boss Devonshire says there is still plenty of work to do.

“I’m really pleased,” he said. “The players defended well and worked hard as a group and I don’t think our keeper had a lot to do. I don’t think Joe Ellul lost a header at the back but they defended well as a unit.

“But you can see how strong the league is. I think you’ll need to get to 53 points and that will be enough to stay in the league.

“It was a scrappy game and the wind didn’t help swirling round. They were two even teams and it was decided by two good finishes.”

Clear-cut chances were scarce at a blustery SportNation.bet Stadium, with both sides struggling to test either keeper.

For Moors, Jason Cowley curled an excellent effort wide and James Beesley was blocked at the near post as he tried to bundle home George Carline’s cross in the best of their first-half opportunities. At the other end Ryan Boot parried a Danny Whitehall effort and the lively Akintunde was crowded out after a surging run.

Moors were in the ascendancy in the second period until they were caught out on 65 minutes.

Seth Twumasi dispossessed Moors full-back Tyrone Williams and, though Moors repelled the first raid, Josh Kelly picked up the loose ball to cross from the right and Akintunde provided a precise finish at the far post.

Moors responded and felt they should have had a penalty on 80 minutes when Alan Massey sent Jamie Reckord sprawling but referee David Richardson decided it was a yard outside the penalty box and Terry Hawkridge’s free-kick slammed into the wall.

Moments later, Moors sub Mitch Hancox saw his 20-yarder smack the post and bounce away.

But two minutes from time Maidenhead secured the points.

James Comley’s through ball left Alfa free 14 yards from goal on the left-hand side of the area and drilled his shot between the legs of Boot.

Moors’ interim joint-manager Gary Whild said: “It’s an obvious thing to say but we just can’t score and that’s been the case in the last few games. Goals change games.

“We conceded a poor goal and then you are chasing the game.”