Rebels beaten late on at the Gallagher Stadium

Ruben Shakpoke’s second-half equaliser gave Slough Town hope of taking a point from Maidstone United, but Ryan Hanson’s late goal secured a 2-1 victory for the hosts at the Gallagher Stadium.

Slough Town were beaten by promotion-chasing Maidstone United at the Gallagher Stadium, despite Ruben Shakpoke’s second-half equaliser giving the Rebels hope of taking something back from Kent.

Ken Charles put the hosts ahead shortly before half time, but Slough responded three minutes after the restart when Shakpoke raced through to level. The Rebels then came agonisingly close to taking the lead, with Jared Myers seeing a close-range effort cleared off the line, before Ryan Hanson struck eight minutes from time to settle the contest.

The defeat leaves Slough bottom of the Enterprise National League South on four points from 15 matches, while Maidstone move up to second after a weekend which saw new leaders Truro City beat Ebbsfleet United.

Steve McKimm made three changes to the side which started Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at Truro City, with Munashe Sundire making his first appearance since returning to the club, while Saikou Janneh and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas also came into the starting eleven. Johnny Goddard missed out through suspension. Sundire had rejoined the Rebels earlier in the week following his release by Torquay United.

Maidstone came into the match looking to respond to their own midweek defeat, having lost 3-1 at home to Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday. The Stones had otherwise made an impressive start to the campaign, winning eight of their opening 14 league fixtures.

The opening stages were encouraging for Slough, who looked to attack down both flanks without either side creating a clear-cut opportunity.

Riley Court was dispossessed in the ninth minute, allowing Dennon Lewis to drive towards the Maidstone box, but his effort flew well wide.

The hosts gradually began to threaten, with Leone Gravata seeing a low effort comfortably gathered by Killian Barrett before the Slough goalkeeper again dealt with a shot from the Maidstone forward.

Jaiden Drakes-Thomas was booked in the 23rd minute for a late challenge on George Fowler, while Maidstone captain Riley Court was cautioned for dissent eight minutes later.

Maidstone enjoyed a good spell of possession midway through the half and came close when Tom Leahy found Ryan Hanson just outside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s first-time effort curled away from the target.

The Stones eventually broke the deadlock three minutes before half time.

Lenny Holden’s long goal kick was flicked on by Court and the ball found Gravata in space down the left. He advanced before delivering a dangerous cross into the Slough penalty area.

The ball was not dealt with and, after Court got a touch, Charles was able to dig the ball out from underneath himself and fire past Barrett from close range to give Maidstone a 38th-minute lead.

Slough tried to respond before the interval, with Lewis making a couple of positive incursions into the box, although the visitors could not find a way through the Maidstone defence.

The Rebels went into the break trailing 1-0, but they were level within three minutes of the restart.

Sundire played the ball forward to Shakpoke, who had found space behind the Maidstone defence. The Slough striker still had plenty to do, but he showed composure to shake off the attention of Fowler and Frankie Hvid before slotting a low finish beyond Holden.

It was Shakpoke’s fourth goal in his last six league matches, having also scored in recent games against Dorking Wanderers and Horsham.

The equaliser gave Slough renewed momentum, although Maidstone responded positively.

Charles laid the ball off to Leahy inside the penalty area in the 54th minute, but Terell Thomas threw himself in front of the shot to make an important block.

Dennon Lewis was booked shortly afterwards for kicking the ball away following a decision against him.

Maidstone made their first change just after the hour mark, with Jayden Davis replacing Gravata, before Noah Nzuzi came on for Alex Stepien-Iwumene in the 67th minute. Slough then introduced Kyle Brooks and Henry Ochieng in the 69th minute, replacing Dennis Adeniran and Drakes-Thomas respectively.

The match remained finely poised as the final 20 minutes approached, with both sides aware that the next goal could prove decisive.

Maidstone came close in the 75th minute when Court’s corner was met by Fowler, whose header landed on the roof of the net.

But the biggest opportunity of the game to that point fell to Slough three minutes later.

Oladunjoye’s long throw caused problems inside the Maidstone penalty area after Holden failed to deal with it, and substitute Jared Myers found himself with a close-range opportunity. His effort appeared destined for the net, only for a Maidstone defender to clear the ball from the goal line.

Slough had been inches away from completing the turnaround.

Instead, Maidstone produced the decisive moment eight minutes from time.

Leahy delivered a cross from the right and substitute Stan Leech met it with a diving header. The ball broke loose in the goalmouth and Hanson reacted quickest, stabbing it over the line to restore the Stones’ lead.

Slough pushed forward in search of another equaliser during the closing stages, but Maidstone defended their advantage.

Noah Nzuzi was booked in the 89th minute for a foul which halted a Slough counter-attack, while Jayden Davis and Sundire were both booked in the closing moments as the hosts saw out the contest.

The result means Slough remain on four points at the foot of the table after 15 matches, while Maidstone climb to second with 29 points.

It was a particularly frustrating afternoon for the Rebels given the way they recovered from falling behind, and the chances they created after Shakpoke’s equaliser. Myers’ goal-line clearance remains the defining moment in a match where Slough were ultimately punished for failing to turn their pressure into a second goal.

The defeat is Slough’s fifth consecutive league loss, while Maidstone’s victory sees them respond to Tuesday’s defeat by Ebbsfleet and strengthen their position near the top of the division.

A crucial game awaits the Rebels at Arbour Park next Saturday, with second-bottom Walton & Hersham the visitors.