Late Carter blow leaves Slough two points from safety after Dorking comeback

Slough Town in action against Dorking Wanderers this afternoon. Photo: Zak Rana

--

Slough Town 1, Dorking Wanderers 2

Slough Town find themselves two points from safety in the National League South this evening (Saturday) after Dorking Wanderers came from behind to beat them at Arbour Park.

Ruben Shakpoke made amends for his miss at Dagenham in mid-week when he fired the home side in front in the 23rd minute.

But Lewis levelled matters for Dorking in the 68th minute before Charlie Carter (90') fired home a last-minute winner to send the visitors up to fourth in the table.

Slough had responded well to their exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Macclesfield, beating Abingdon United in the county cup before having the better of Tuesday’s goalless draw at Dagenham & Redbridge.

They gave a decent enough account of themselves at Arbour Park this afternoon as well, but it’s points not performances that are needed at this stage of the season, given their position in the table.

The Rebels shaded the opening 20 minutes and took the lead in the 23rd minute when Tyrique Clarke played a clever free kick into Wiktor Makowski who picked out his strike partner Shakpoke who swept the ball right footed beyond keeper Foulkes.

Slough might have forced a second in the first half, with Shakpoke forcing another scrambling save from Foulkes on the half-hour mark.

Shakpoke continued to cause the visitors problems, with Tony Craig shown a yellow for pulling him back as he looked to sprint into a promising position early in the second half.

Dorking remained a threat however and twice got in behind the Rebels back line around the hour mark. Player manager Scott Davies also denied Lewis’ goal bound shot as the visitors began to ramp up the pressure.

Basil Tuma had a great chance to fire the home side into a two-goal lead when he ran onto Makowski’s pass and forced Foulkes into a good save in the 67th minute. It proved a pivotal moment with Dorking levelling matters a minute later.

Their short corner routine caught the hosts off-guard and Dennon Lewis was afforded the time and space he needed to curl home from the edge of the area.

Jared Myers’ stung the gloves of Foulkes as the Rebels looked to respond in the 80th minute, but – as they attempted to press forward for a winner – they left themselves vulnerable to the counter.

Dorking were able to exploit those gaps with Chalie Carter firing home in the 90th minute. After the effort they put in, the goal must have felt like a punch in the gut for Davies and his players.

From here, they go to local rivals Maidenhead United on Boxing Day. They sit 22nd in the table, two points from safety.