Magpies would have beaten Latics if they didn't drop intensity, says Peters

Photo: Grace Scott

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Had Maidenhead United not taken their foot off the gas early in the second half, they would have been destined for victory against Oldham Athletic, according to assistant manager Ryan Peters.

It took 30 minutes for the Magpies to restore parity after the interval – following Ben Tollitt’s goal – but they were the much better outfit thereafter, emulating how they started the clash at York Road.

The Latics were perhaps buoyed by a half-time team talk from new first team boss David Unsworth who will be best known for his distinguished playing career at Everton before going on to manage them on an interim basis in 2016 and 2017.

He arrived at Boundary Park on September 20, putting pen to paper on a three year contract.

“It took us a while to get going in the second half and that is something we will have to look at,” said the Magpies’ Peters.

“If we had got that first 15 minutes right, then I am confident we would have gone on to win the game. It took us a little too long to get into the game in the second half which allowed them to push on.

“But it shows how far we’ve come that we were able to come on stronger in the latter stages of the half and equalise.

“We’re not going to say too much on the referee’s performance but there were some really naughty challenges which we felt merited more than a yellow card.

“We also felt that the header which led to our penalty was on the way in anyway and, therefore, the player should be sent off.

“But, putting the referee’s decisions to one side, this week has been really positive for us. We take the point and move on.”

On Maidenhead United’s now three-game unbeaten run, Peters added: “It’s not necessarily eight, nine, or 10 wins on the trot but turning losses into draws to keep the momentum going is a real positive.

“I said a little bit of time ago that our form had been indifferent, and we needed to get to a stage where we are consistent.”

The Magpies are without a league fixture this weekend and are instead thrown into FA Cup action. They play host to Eastbourne Borough in the tournament’s fourth qualifying round. Kickoff is at 3pm.