Play-off hopes dampened by disappointing loss

Maidenhead United went into Saturday's game with Maidstone United believing they could put themselves in the play-off picture with a victory, however, they instead produced one of their shakier displays of the season in a 3-2 defeat.

United remain just three points off the top seven following Saturday's loss - their 10th of the campaign - but they've played more games than many of the sides above them, and the manner of the defeat at the Gallagher Stadium will just have taken a little of the shine off their recent good run.

It's also the first time since the opening day of the season that they've conceded three goals in the league and that defensive ill-discipline, more than anything, will have disappointed manager Alan Devonshire. His assistant Ryan Peters admitted afterwards it had been a poor display, and one they'll look to brush off quickly ahead of Saturday's lunchtime test at home to Dorking Wanderers.

“Yeah, we came into training this week thinking that if we could win, we could be pushing those boys in the play-off places,” Peters told club press officer Grace Scott. “Unfortunately, it was a bad performance and it's been a bad end to a positive week.

“Now we're looking at other teams getting closer to us rather than looking up. It was poor and really unlike us. We've been resilient and hard to break down, but within three minutes we conceded the first goal. Then, in the second half, we've conceded within five minutes.

“It's unlike us, but it's a game we'll have to write off. We're hoping it's a one off and it won't happen again, but we're disappointed with the manner in which we lost today. The changes were forced, we have a few injuries unfortunately, but the players who came in, it was a chance to show the gaffer what they're capable of and it wasn't good enough. We're going to have some boys back soon, hopefully and then we can push into that Christmas period. We're not taking any of these teams lightly and, after today's performance we'll be keen to put on a show. We're good at home so we'd like to think this can be a day when we can push on and pick up points, but if we turn up like we did today, it's going to be a long old day.”