Maidenhead United 4

Harrow Borough 2 (Dec 15)

The remainder of Harrow Borough's season could turn out to be be a fight against relegation as they find themselves bottom of the table after collecting only 12 points from 20 matches, but the referee played his part in their latest defeat at Maidenhead.

After a quiet start, United took the lead on 24 minutes through Channell, who headed home a Ulasi cross.

The first real moment of controversy occurred when Boro's Barima was brought down when clear on goal but referee Comley took no action.

Another talking point was when the referee failed to award a corner after an Everitt free kick was deflected off the wall behind for a corner. The referee gave a goal kick.

From the resultant goal kick, United went on the attack which ended with a long throw headed across goal and Channell rose to head his second after 31 minutes.

Boro rolled their sleeves up and created a couple of chances before the half time interval, but to no avail.

Boro started the second period the brighter but not before United tested Keeper Karamoko with a header which he saved well.

A good build-up on the left between Everitt and Emond Protain ended with Protain lobbing wide from 30 yards. John Lawford was then brought down in the penalty area but the referee waved play on.

Boro then had a goal by Protain disallowed as there was a player standing in an offside position, who was not interfering with play.

When Lawford headed for goal, his effort seemed to be handled but again Boro were refused a spot-kick. Boro were well on top at this point but in the 75th minute, Allen broke clear, rounded Karamoko outside the area and slid the ball home.

Tempers boiled over and Pat Gavin and Phil Gridelet found their way into the referee's book, followed by a red card for John Hurlock, for an incident that was missed by most, but off he went Boro's eighth dismissal this season.

The 10-men did not give up. Lawford's effort brought a fine save from Barnard before the same player cut in from the left after 87 minutes and hit a low shot in at the near post to make it 3-1.

With the 90 minutes up, sub Fabio Valenti was tripped in the area and Lawford scored from the spot for 3-2. But straight from the re-start, a home attack ended in a scramble which ended with Allen firing home.

Boro: Karamoko, White, Protain, Haapimaa, Everitt, Gavin, Hurlock, Gridelet, Barima, Lawford, Hunter