Credit: MUFC
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Eastleigh 0, Maidenhead United 1
Maidenhead United remain entrenched in the National League relegation zone after going down to a second defeat of the season against Eastleigh this afternoon.
United kicked off the campaign back in August with a deflating 2-0 home loss to the Spitfires and although they were marginally better in this afternoon's clash at Silverlake Stadium, they didn't really do enough to claim they deserved a share of the spoils.
They fell behind in the 16th minute when the former Newcastle United player Ludwig Francillette blasted the ball into the top corner after a good run and cross from Shade.
A disappointing first half performance continued for the Magpies with Niall Maher clipping the ball just wide of the target for the Spitfires in the 31st minute and Quigley going close with another decent chance from inside the area in the 42nd minute.
United were improved after the interval, but only after Francillette had rattled the crossbar for the hosts with an overhead kick a couple of minutes after the restart.
In the final 20 minutes Maidenhead started to carve out some decent chances, but once again they were missing their clinical edge.
Sam Barratt saw his header from a Tristan Abrahams' cross palmed behind by McDonnel in the 71st minute, while Will de Havilland could only head the ball straight at the Eastleigh keeper from the resulting corner.
The visitors came close again in the 79th minute when Tyrese Dyce was picked out by Barratt, but the defender headed over the bar before falling to the ground in frustration and disbelief.
The Magpies threatened once more in the 87th minute when they forced an indirect free kick in the box, but with all the Eastleigh players behind the ball, they managed to get out and block Nathan Ferguson's shot from a tight angle.
Ninety Maidenhead fans travelled to support the team this afternoon and they left disappointed - and also a little frustrated and angry after Shawn McCoulsky appeared to be wrestled to the floor in the area by McDonnell - only for the referee to see nothing wrong with the challenge.
The result leaves the Magpies third from bottom, now two points from safety, ahead of a crucial looking Boxing Day clash with Wealdstone at York Road.