Aldershot Town 1, Leyton Orient 2

AT times it was difficult to tell which of these two sides was challenging to reach the Football League and which was fighting to stave off relegation, but a pulsating match nonetheless ended in Aldershot Town’s 21st defeat of the season.

This was, at least, a performance full of desire and passion, which left the National League leaders clinging on for victory in stoppage time, undone only by the two first-half corners from which Orient snatched the victory that extended their lead at the top of the table.

Scott Rendell’s 72nd-minute penalty sparked a rousing grandstand finish but it was all in vain for a Shots side which now languishes eight points from safety with nine games remaining.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the players. They gave everything and that was probably our best performance of the season,” suggested manager Gary Waddock with some justification.

“The players do care and they showed that tonight, but we have to be consistent from now until the end of the season.”

Although accepting the point that a run of similar performances may offer his team a glimmer of hope, Waddock’s response was blunt: “We’d give ourselves a chance but I’d rather be horrific and win a game.”

Greeted by a banner hoisted by disgruntled fans which dared the team to ‘Prove Us Wrong’, the hosts had started in lively fashion and were further buoyed by Orient striker Jordan Maguire-Drew’s early injury. The prolific Macauley Bonne sliced a shot wide and Jobi McAnuff’s free-kick flew high over the bar as Orient struggled to find their usually assured footing, and only Dean Brill’s fine save to parry Bernard Mensah’s strong header preserved parity.

John Goddard and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong also went close from distance as Aldershot Town continued to set the pace, but their weakness at set pieces proved their undoing once again. On 34 and 38 minutes, two inswinging corners from James Brophy were both met by towering centre-back Josh Coulson, and twice he found space to guide a header past Jake Cole.

Soon Rendell had to clear Matt Harrold’s flick off the line amid a goalmouth scramble, but The Shots’ vibrant display continued after the break. Adam McDonnell’s acutely-angled cross-shot flashed through the six-yard box, and Brill had to be alert to clutch Berkeley-Agyepong’s swerving effort. In between, Cole saved Harrold’s stabbed shot with his legs, but Aldershot Town were back in the game on 71 minutes.

Rendell was pulled back by Marvin Ekpiteta as he shaped to shoot, and the striker scored with a confident penalty.

Waddock switched to a three-man defence in his search for an equaliser, and it appeared set to arrive with Reece Grant’s header on 88 minutes, until the wrong-footed Brill somehow clawed the ball to safety via his right-hand post.

Only then did The Shots have to admit defeat, but Waddock was quick to highlight his unwavering confidence. “Until it’s mathematically done and dusted you have to believe, because if we don’t then who’s going to?”

They may still be one of the favourites for relegation, but this match at last suggested that they won’t go down without a fight.

Aldershot Town: Cole, Bernard, Menayese, Elokobi, Booty (McClure 85), Howell, McDonnell, Goddard, Mensah, Berkeley-Agyepong (Grant 79), Rendell. Subs (not used): Mannion, Gallagher, Finney.

Attendance: 1,989.