Drax brings in emergency keeper Smith

Maidenhead United FC manager Johnson 'Drax' Hippolyte has been forced to recruit an emergency goalkeeper following an injury to the Magpies No.1.

25-year-old keeper Steve Smith has joined the club on a game by game basis to provide cover between the posts for the injured Shane Gore.

Gore strained his hamstring in Saturday's 4-1 home defeat against Eastleigh and is unfit for tonight's clash with Newport County at York Road.

Back-up keeper Warren Carter, signed from Holyport in the summer, was deemed too inexperienced for such an important time in the Magpie's Conference South campaign, prompting the move for Smith.

"Shane Gore picked up a hamstring strain so I've brought in a new keeper for a little while as cover," said Drax.

"We've signed keeper Steve Smith. He's played for teams like Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage Borough.

"Our young keeper – Carter – while we know he's going to be a big keeper in the future, at the moment we think it'd be putting too much pressure on his shoulders to come in against Newport."