ALDERSHOT TN 1, MAIDENHEAD UTD 0

ON-LOAN Nicke Kabamba scored what could prove to be a priceless goal in Aldershot’s quest for a place in the National League play-offs.

The Portsmouth striker headed home in the 89th minute to finally break Maidenhead’s stubborn resistance and lift Aldershot to third in the table with four matches to play.

Two of those fixtures involve trips to play-off rivals Tranmere and Sutton United, so it was vital that the Shots should get three points in the bank against a side from the lower half of the table.

Maidenhead, promoted from the National League South last season, were well behind the Shots in terms of ability, but any side managed by the vastly experienced Alan Devonshire is bound to be well-organised. Hard-working they certainly were, especially in defence, while Carl Pentney pulled off a series of top-class saves. Aldershot had no luck at all in front of goal and with the minutes ticking away, it seemed that the visitors would escape with a draw.

Enter Kabamba, very much a fringe player since arriving at the club three months ago. Manager Gary Waddock clearly thought the substitute’s height and aerial prowess might be the key to unlocking Maidenhead’s rugged defence when he sent him on for Jim Kellerman in the 74th minute.

And it worked.

With the frustrated home fans convinced that the gods, and the referee, were against them and probably resigned to a damaging draw, centre-half Callum Reynolds hoisted a long ball in from the left and Kabamba came flying in on the far post to score with a spectacular diving header from a sharpish angle.

Wild celebrations broke out and the late, late winner was no more than Aldershot deserved because, in contrast to the limp display against Eastleigh, they played some highly attractive football and persevered when nothing seemed to be going their way.

Waddock’s line-up was certainly attacking, with frontman Scott Rendell being closely backed up by Kellerman, Frenchman Fabien Robert and livewire Bobby-Joe Taylor.

But it was to be a chastening first half for the Shots. With just 11 minutes gone, Cheye Alexander’s cross served up what looked a goal on a plate for an unmarked Rendell, but Carl Pentney pulled off a back-stretching save to flick the close-range header over the bar.

On 20 minutes, Taylor’s left-footed free-kick curled its way inside the far upright, with Pentney distracted by the lunging Rendell. Taylor was already well into a whimsical celebration in front of the fans when it was discovered that the linesman’s flag was up for offside.

And so it continued. Pentney got a strong hand to a thumping drive from Manny Oyeleke, Aldershot’s Player of the Month for March, and, just before the interval, the linesman adjudged Remy Clerima not to have turned Adam McDonnell’s driven cross over his own goal-line. McDonnell pleaded that he had.

Maidenhead barely tested Lewis Ward in this half, yet they came close to snatching the lead when Jake Hyde’s sharp turn earned him space for a firm shot that the goalkeeper did well to push round the post.

The Berkshire side began to grow in confidence after half-time and a double substitution revealed – almost to Aldershot’s cost – that they possessed a long throw specialist.

Sam Barratt launched the ball towards the penalty spot and with defenders caught unawares, Sean Marks’ power-header was parried by Ward for another corner.

Aldershot won a host of corners and free-kicks, but Maidenhead resisted everything and again had the rub of the green as Alexander hung another cross in the air and the tireless, luckless, Rendell saw his header hit the inside of the post and bounce to safety.

With the clock ticking down, Reynolds delivered a similar cross from the other side and the valiant Pentney was this time left helpless by Kabamba’s acrobatic header.

“It would have been cruel if it had been nil-nil at the final whistle,” said Gary Waddock. “The players kept going, the supporters kept going, and there was a lot of self-belief.

“We played our style of football, we created chances, and we scored a late winner in front of the East Bank – it can’t get better than that.

“I’m delighted for him (Kabamba), absolutely delighted. It’s been frustrating for him. For whatever reason, he hasn’t been able to force his way into the team. But every morning, he shows the right attitude at training. He’s a real nice guy.”

Aldershot: Ward, Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Kinsella, Kellermann (Kabamba 74), Oyeleke (McClure 81), Robert (McQuoid 66), McDonnell, Rendell, Taylor. Subs (not used): Cole, Fowler. Booked: McQuoid.

Maidenhead: Pentney, Steer, Massey, Clerima, Kilman (Goodman 66), Odametey, Smith, Upward (Barratt 66), Pritchard, Hyde (Comley 76), Marks. Subs (not used): Emmanuel, Owusu. Booked: Smith, Hyde.

Referee: Richard Hulme.

Attendance: 2,318 (175 away).