Keetch's wonder strike earns Magpies a share of the spoils with Oldham Athletic

Brad Keetch celebrates his fabulous strike. Photo: Maidenhead United FC

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Oldham Athletic 1, Maidenhead United 1

Bradley Keetch produced a world class equaliser as Maidenhead United backed up Saturday’s draw against leaders Chesterfield with another very valuable point on the road at Oldham Athletic.

Thirty-one years ago, Oldham were one of the founding members of the Premier League while Maidenhead were playing their trade at the seventh tier of English football, however, they met at Boundary Park on Tuesday night as equals and the Magpies left the north west with a hard-earned but deserved share of the spoils.

The highlight of the evening arrived in the 88th minute - just when it seemed Alan Devonshire’s hard working and injury-hit squad might suffer their fourth straight away defeat. Keetch - who’d come on for David Omilabu in the 74th minute - collected the ball on the left side of the Latics’ area and rifled an unstoppable shot beyond Hudson from all of 30 yards.

It was a glorious strike and some way for the Magpies’ academy graduate to get off the mark for the club in the National League.

It had been coming as well as the Latics sat back looking to preserve the lead given to them by Alex Reid’s 28th minute header. At that stage Oldham deserved to be ahead after dominating the possession stats - but creating few clear cut chances.

However, Maidenhead responded well to the disappointment of falling behind, especially in the second half when they posed more of an attacking threat following the introduction of Chanka Zimba for Ashley Nathaniel-George. It was the substitute who came closest for them, with a header from Charlee Adams corner that was saved by Hudson.

The introduction of Keetch and Parsons added further attacking impetus in the final quarter, and the goal when it came rocked Boundary Park to its very foundations.

Stunned by the sensational strike, Oldham drew back even further and the hosts were fortunate not to concede again in stoppage time. United peppered their area with crosses and defender Will De Havilland was desperately unlucky not to force home a winner in the final seconds.

The result lifts the Magpies above Oxford City and out of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s home game against ninth placed Rochdale, who have made a steady start to life in the National League after being relegated from League 2 last season.