SMITH POPS UP IN THE NICK OF TIME FOR MAGPIES

REECE Smith’s 86th minute equaliser saw Maidenhead United take a point from a game they should have won with ease.

A Charlee Adams scissor kick – akin to Paolo Di Canio’s prodigious strike for West Ham against Wimbledon – had given Alan Devonshire’s men a 40th minute lead before ex-Magpie Danny Whitehall thumped away a leveller 15 minutes from full-time.

Ryan Hill capitalised on some heavy pressure to put the Spitfires in front with a first-time finish from a loose ball moments after, as it seemed likely the home side were going to pay for their missed chances.

But, with just a handful of minutes left of normal time, winger Smith restored parity with a coolly-taken finish slotted through Joe McDonnell’s legs, having being fed down through down the left by Josh Kelly.

“We wanted all three points, and we should have got the second goal when we were pressing,” Devonshire said. “But, after going 2-1 down, you take a point.

“I think we’re pushing in the right direction now and picking up some good results at home.”

Perhaps a flash of what was to come, Adams conjured up the first notable effort of the match on 22 minutes – a venomous strike from outside the box which forced McDonnell into a good save.

Down the other end in an instant, Tom Whelan proved too quick for captain Alan Massey and Will

De Havilland as he bore down on goal before striking the ball into the gloves of Dan Gyollai.

Sam Barratt tried to pull off the spectacular from a corner in the 37th minute but his leap for a bicycle kick was mistimed and the Spitfires were able to clear.

However, Adams was on hand to get the Magpies faithful cheering three minutes later when he rushed onto the ball from the edge of the area and volleyed it into the back of the net with aplomb.

The supporters didn’t have to wait long to be off their feet after the break as, in the 54th minute, the home side had three attempts in one passage of play which should have doubled their advantage.

First, Kelly struck the ball into a crowd of Eastleigh bodies before Barratt rattled the right post with the rebound, all before Dan Sparkes miraculously found the same outcome from his effort.

Eastleigh’s leveller was the result of a good counter-attack as Harry Pritchard’s initial shot was deflected before the ball looped into the back of the net thanks to Whitehall.

Hill found the target again on 79 minutes with an exquisite effort that nestled into the top right corner of Gyollai’s goal.

McDonnell pulled off a string of vital saves to keep the Magpies in contention and it was left to Smith to rescue his side a point.

STAR MAN: Charlee Adams (Maidenhead) ATT: 1,159 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Paul Johnson