Maidenhead United survive on the final day despite big scare at Gateshead

Reece Smith at the International Stadium

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Gateshead 4, Maidenhead United 0

Maidenhead United have survived in the National League for a sixth successive season but they've done so by the skin of their teeth after giving their supporters an almighty scare with this afternoon's 4-0 defeat at Gateshead.

Only a heavy defeat to Gateshead at the International Stadium, combined with an equally sizable victory for Torquay United at home to newly crowned champions Wrexham would have seen Maidenhead demoted by to the National League South.

But after 55 minutes of this afternoon's final matches, that nightmare scenario looked like it was beginning to unfold.

With Maidenhead trailing 3-0 at Gateshead and Torquay having taken the lead at home to Wrexham, both sides were level on 50 points and the Magpies' comfortable plus seven goal difference had been narrowed to just three. With more than 30 minutes and stoppage time still to be played it suddenly didn't seem quite so inconceivable that Devonshire's men might be relegated.

Thankfully, that's as close as Maidenhead came to the drop, and an 80th minute equaliser for Wrexham's Elliot Lee at Plainmoor means Devonshire's side finish the season two points above the Gulls - who've been relegated alongside Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United and Maidstone United.

It also means the Magpies players and fancy-dress clad supporters can enjoy their night on the Toon.

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— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) April 29, 2023

United have a mixed record at Gateshead in recent seasons and a 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Heed back in 2018 meant that supporters travelled north with a fair degree of trepidation, disguised well behind their fancy dress costumes.

And there must have been real fears in the away end of a repeat capitulation when the visitors let in three goals in less than 10 second half minutes.

They had begun the game well enough, with Shawn McCoulsky firing over the crossbar in the opening 10 minutes before forcing a close-range save from Gateshead keeper Filip Marschall in the 26th minute. However, the complexion of the game changed dramatically just after the half-hour when Ethan Pye rose well to head home from a corner. The hosts' second goal came when Zico Asare inadvertently turned Aaron Martin's shot beyond Joe Walsh in the 38th minute and a moments later, the Heed were at it again with Martin flicking a long ball on for Adam Campbell who raced through to slot home. At this stage Maidenhead were rocking and it might have got worse before the interval when Owen Bailey's half-volley was cleared off the goal line. However, a complete capitulation never materialised with Devonshire and his coaching team using the half-time interval to restore some focus and composure.

The second half was played at a much slower pace, and both sides struggled to create chances, however, that suited Maidenhead down to the ground given the situation. Bailey headed wide in the 61st minute and Walsh pulled off a great save to deny Will Harris a goal from close range. However, a fourth goal did eventually arrive for Gateshead in the 88th minute when Harris was played in once more and coolly slotted home.

That might have been enough to set Maidenhead nerves jangling once again had Wrexham’s equaliser at Torquay not all but ended the Gulls' hopes of pulling off the great escape.

At the end, Devonshire - who said a couple of weeks ago he'd happily see Maidenhead 'limp' over the line to safety - got exactly what he wished for.

They haven't been convincing in recent weeks - last week's positive performance against Barnet aside - but they have managed to get the job done, and survival in the National League for a club of Maidenhead's resources should never be underestimated. Just look at the size of the teams that have gone down this season in their place.

At the end, Devonshire applauded the Magpies supporters and wiped his brow. Relegation had come a little too close for comfort, but they did just about enough to survive and that should be celebrated.