PRIOR’S THE MAGIC MAN FOR WHITE’S FAB WANDS

JASON PRIOR struck twice as Dorking Wanderers gave their bid for survival a much-needed shot in the arm with a comfortable victory over Maidenhead United at Meadowbank.

Prior’s header just before the half hour gave the Wands the lead at the interval before adding a second just after the restart.

Josh Taylor then headed home number three before the hour, deeming Charlee Adams’ penalty for the Magpies as mere consolation.

“We were strong in both boxes today and our quality through the middle of the park came to the fore,” said delighted Wands boss Marc White with his side three points clear of the relegation places.

“Across the 90 we created a lot of chances, could and should have scored more goals, but, other that that, it was a complete team performance and we go again on Tuesday.”

Prior was the Wands dangerman throughout, linking play effectively and bringing his midfielders and wide men into threatening attacking positons.

Seb Bowerman’s cross was headed just wide of the top left corner by the Wanderers front man, who then he spurned a great chance after George Francomb’s delivery was only half cleared, Prior opting to pass across the face of goal rather than take on a strike in space.

Bowerman then went very close with a first time cushioned effort from outside the box just whistling past the post, before Wanderers made a deserved breakthrough on 27 minutes; Prior running onto a Francomb corner and powering a header beyond Alexis Andre towards the near post.

Defensive pair Will De Havilland and Remy Clerima went closest for Maidenhead from set-pieces, but it was no surprise when Dorking doubled their lead two minutes into the restart when excellent work from James McShane played Jimmy Muitt down the right, his cross nodded home by an unmarked Prior from several yards out.

Bowerman squandered a brilliant chance to make it three just afterwards, slamming Josh Taylor’s cut back straight at keeper Andre after good work down the right, but Taylor himself would make it count just moments later, running onto Bowerman’s cross and steering the ball home from the middle of the box.

Prior was denied a hat-trick by the fingertips of Andre after a deft first time flick looked destined to find the top corner, but into the final ten minutes Alan Devonshire’s second half substitutes made an impact.

Shawn McCoulskey headed against the crossbar from Dan Sparkes’ freekick before debutant Bruno Andrade won a penalty after being impeded by Barry Fuller and Adam stepped up to drive the ball into the bottom right corner.