Magpies leave it late as Dulson fires Maidenhead United past 10-man Eastbourne

Eastbourne Borough 0, Maidenhead United 1

Liam Dulson kept Maidenhead United on course for a play-off finish in the National League South after firing home a 90th minute winner at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

The Magpies had endured 89 frustrating minutes at the Reach TV Stadium but kept persevering and eventually found the key to break down their stubborn hosts.

Dillon De Silva and Harry Pritchard were both involved with Pritchard teeing up Dulson for a clinical finish into the far corner.

The Magpies had the better of the clash against the league’s bottom club, but they improved after the interval - aided significantly by the dismissal of Eastbourne’s Freddie Carter in the 51st minute.

Josh Popoola pounced on a loose ball and looked to break clear before being taken out by Carter who was shown a straight red card.

From that moment on it was a case of whether Maidenhead could create a good enough opportunity to break the deadlock.

Josh Umerah came within inches of turning home Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s cross in the 57th minute and then fired over the bar with his left foot after Borough had half cleared the ball from a corner.

Luthra pushed away a goal bound effort from Mitchell-Lawson in the 74th minute and De Silva was closed down quickly after getting onto an Alfie Pendlebury flick on in the 80th minute.

Pritchard was brought on for the final few minutes, and it proved an inspired change as he created the winner. Dulson took a touch before whipping the ball into the far corner in the 90th minute.

Points are more important than performances at this stage of the season and Maidenhead continue to churn them out at an impressive rate - even when they fail to produce their best football.

This result lifts them to sixth in the table, only four points behind second placed Hornchurch. They now play four consecutive home matches that will make or break their play-off hopes.

Those matches start at home to Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday before leaders Dorking Wanderers visit on Saturday. Six of the Magpies remaining nine league matches are at York Road.

"We most definitely have that belief that we'll go to the 98th minute, if we have to, to make sure we score enough goals to put us in that playoff chase."

Ryan Peters provides his thoughts following our late victory at Eastbourne Borough ️ pic.twitter.com/drBWVJRgzQ

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) March 14, 2026