Ryan Peters felt Maidenhead United showed their strength of character in victory

Reece Smith battles for possession. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Assistant boss Ryan Peters was delighted to see Maidenhead United bounce back from last weekend's setback against Dorking Wanderers in the FA Trophy to defeat Kidderminster Harriers - one of the teams in and around them in the battle for National League survival.

The club's confidence had been pricked by last weekend's disappointing 3-0 defeat at the Meadowbank Stadium, a result which ended the club's unbeaten run in all competitions.

However, the Magpies were still six unbeaten in the league, having risen to 13th in the table following their impressive 4-1 win away to Oxford City a couple of weeks previously. And, while they never quite hit the heights of that game - their biggest win of the season - it was clear from the outset on Saturday they'd lost none of their competitive edge against an improving Kidderminster Harriers side.

The free-flowing football which saw them tear through Oxford in the early stages wasn't on show at York Road - renamed the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Stadium for one game to raise awareness on mental health - however, there was a doggedness and determination which characterised their play throughout.

Those qualities came to the fore especially in the closing stages, after Maidenhead had taken the lead through Casey Pettit's side-footed finish in the 67th minute.

The Carpet Men tried to come back at them and force an equaliser but to a man, the Maidenhead team stood up to that challenge, limiting their opponents to very few clear-cut chances. For the most part Kidderminster were restricted to shots from distance and, apart from a late header from substitute Gold Odmotayo which flashed wide of the post, Craig Ross's goal wasn't seriously tested. That will have pleased Peters and manager Alan Devonshire as much as anything, while centre back Alan Massey's outstanding contribution at the heart of the Magpies' defence should also be noted, given the player was making one of his first starts of the season.

Reflecting on the result, Peters said: “Psychologically, I thought this could be difficult. Not only because of the loss last week, but because we were playing another team in and around us. The Chesterfield games take care of themselves but the mentality to make sure you win these games was going to be tested today and I thought our boys were phenomenal. This game last season we lose, but the character in the dressing room this season - and the run that we're on - gives us the belief and we're going into the Christmas period full of confidence.

“In some of our last six games we've played some great football. Today wasn't that. Our pressing wasn't as good as it had been. But when you can't be at your best, you've got to make sure you don't concede a goal. It gave us a chance to score a goal and we've got boys that will punish you if given the chance. Ashley Nathaniel-George turns his defender inside out and then Casey came onto it and scored the goal.

“Casey can score goals. Sometimes he's asked to a more defensive job, but he was given more license to get forward today. He makes the run at the right time - knowing Ash is going to beat his man - and it ends up in the goal.

He added: “We're learning, and the character is there. At the end, they brought on one big guy after another big guy and we were wondering what their late set pieces would look like, but the boys rose to the occasion, they put their bodies on the line.

“We headed away corner after corner and, although we got a bit lucky with Omotayo's late header, I thought we were worthy winners on the day.”