Weston remain in the relegation zone after slipping to defeat at Maidenhead.

MAIDENHEAD UNITED 2

WESTON-S-MARE 0

WESTON missed the chance of climbing out of the Vanarama National League South relegation zone as the slipped to defeat in Berkshire.

The win sees Maidenhead into the play-offs, overtaking Bath City who also lost. Had Weston got something out of the game they would have climbed several places in the table.

Weston went into the game without striker Scott Wilson, Tsvetan Filipov taking over, while Jake Llewellyn picked a knock in the opening minute and had to be substituted by Joe McClennan after 27 minutes.

Maidenhead opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Ben Wright netted on the near post from Dave Tarpey’s first flag kick.

As Weston enjoyed their best spell, they forced five corners and Bradley Ash, McClennan and Filipov tested home keeper Carl Pentney.

From the start of the second half, Maidenhead pressed strongly with Harry Pritchard skimming the Weston crossbar. Then keeper Luke Purnell pulled off a superb one-handed reflex save to deny Tarpey’s fierce point-blank header from Pritchard’s cross.

Wright scored again on 57 minutes, this time on the far post, when the visiting defence failed to deal with another corner.

Weston came close near the end when Jake Mawford, who was outstanding in midfield, set up substitute Tristan Plummer only for Pentney to save with his legs.

Minutes from time, Purnell pulled off another good save to deny substitute Andy Jenkinson.

Before the game a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Ashley Doyle, the Uphill Castle cricketer tragically killed in last week’s accident on the M4.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Maidenhead, Wright (10, 57).

Shots on target: Maidenhead 4, Weston 3.

Shots off target: Maidenhead 3, Weston 3.

Corners: Maidenhead 5, Weston 6.

Offsides: Maidenhead 2, Weston 4.

Free kicks conceded: Maidenhead 7, Weston 11.

Referee: Sam Purkiss (Highbury). Average game.

Bookings: None.

Attendance: 432.

Weston squad: Purnell, Keary, Barnes, Byrne, Edge, Fortune, Cane, Ash (Page 68), Filipov (Plummer 54), Llewellyn (McClennan 27). Subs (not used): Withey, Wring.

ON Saturday, Weston are back on FA Cup duty with a visit to St Albans for a fourth qualifying round game.

If a replay is necessary, it will be at the Woodspring Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm). At present, St Albans are one place and one point above Weston in the league.