Dulson denied late winner as Maidenhead United are held at home by Hemel

Liam Dulson fires Maidenhead in front. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United 2, Hemel Hempstead Town 2

Maidenhead United’s slow burn of a return to National League South football continued last night as the Magpies were held to a 2-2 draw by Hemel Hempstead Town at York Road.

After three league matches, the Magpies - relegated from the National League last season - are still searching for their first three points.

But there’s no doubt that their performances are improving, and this 2-2 draw against the Tudors was arguably their strongest showing yet on their return to step 2.

They weren’t at their fluent best in the first half but scored two well-constructed goals through summer signings Liam Dulson and Josh Umerah, but on both occasions, they went ahead their lead was shortlived.

The Magpies played with more intensity and purpose in the second half, forcing Hemel onto the back foot for large parts of the period, however, they failed to take a series of decent chances which fell their way.

The best of them came Dulson’s way again with five minutes to play, but the striker was denied by a brilliant instinctive stop from Tudors keeper Michael Johnson.

Despite their failure to take all three points, the Magpies and their fans should be largely encouraged by the side’s performance, particularly in the second half when they looked more like a team who’ll dominate teams at York Road.

United had been second best in the opening minutes, but they took the lead through a well-crafted goal. Matt Robinson thread a beautiful pass through the lines for Josh Popoola on the right and he did well to look up and spot the run of Dulson. His ball into the area was matched by Dulson’s emphatic finish and the Magpies held the lead for the first time this season.

It lasted less than three minutes though as Hemel took advantage of more haphazard defending, a hopeful ball into the box falling for Joe White, who managed to get it under control before poking a shot under Jordi Van Stappershoef.

That’s the way the scoreline remained until the 41st minute, and neither side really looked too threatening throughout that period. Kyle Ajayi hooked over from close range for Hemel after more concerning defending from the hosts, but there was little to get supporters off their seat until the 41st minute when Ryan Bartley chipped a pass into Asher Yearwood, who controlled it well before laying the ball back for Umerah who slotted home into the bottom corner.

It felt like Maidenhead had grasped back momentum just before the interval, but it was snatched away from them by a controversial penalty decision in injury time.

Popoola was running back with Darion Dowrich as the Hemel defender advanced into the area and as the pair came together the Tudors’ attacker fell to the floor and the referee pointed to the spot.

White - who also scored the winner for Hemel at Slough Town on Saturday - smashed home his spot kick to make it 2-2.

Maidenhead were much the better side after the interval, but they couldn’t get a goal to show for that improvement.

Yearwood had the ball nicked off his toes as he looked to score from close range on the hour mark and later saw a curling free kick clawed behind by Johnson.

Dulson smashed in a low shot from just outside the area which almost caught Johnson off-guard and wrong-footed, but the Hemel stopper somehow managed to shovel the ball behind in the 66th minute.

The best chance of the half then fell his way in the 84th minute when the ball broke to him in front of goal following a goalmouth scramble. It seemed certain he’d score, but Johnson managed to pull off an exceptional save to keep the scores level.

Hemel might have pulled off a smash and grab in the closing minutes with a couple of efforts from distance, but that would have been harsh on the Magpies who’d done enough to win.

They’ll go searching for their first league win at Weston Super Mare on Saturday before Horsham visit York Road on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm kick-off)