Devonshire says Maidenhead United FC must move on after costly decision in Berkshire Derby

Alan Devonshire was left to ruefully reflect on a refereeing decision which could hamper Maidenhead United’s chances of glory this season.

The old adage goes that decisions even themselves out over the course of a season, but that’s not something Alan Devonshire, the Magpies boss, would go along with.

Nat Jarvis appeared to bundle goalkeeper Carl Pentney into the net in scoring Hungerford’s equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bulpit Lane and Devonshire said the decision to allow the goal certainly doesn’t help the Magpies title cause.

The United boss believes his side should still be two points clear at the top this week, heading into today's (Saturday) home clash against play-off chasing Hampton & Richmond Borough and Monday’s tough trip to Chelmsford City.

Instead they trail rivals Ebbsfleet Borough, with Daryl McMahon’s side having nipped back above them on alphabetical order of all things.

“It might be nicely poised in your eyes but we should be two points in front,” he said on Monday. “Listen there’s 12 games to go.

“We’ll take it one game at a time. We’ve got a big game on Saturday and then go into a game on Monday.

“That’s two massive games in 48 hours which will be difficult.

“We’ve got a few injuries as well, which ain’t gonna help. We’re determined anyway.

“We know what we want to do but it just doesn’t help when you get decisions like that. I’m sorry but it just doesn’t help. We had the Hemel one at the end (when Jordan Cox had a goal ruled out in a 2-1 defeat) and that was tame in comparison to the one on Saturday.

“If that had been allowed that would have given us a point.

“And now we’ve had another one given against us.

“You tell me something that’s gone for us this year.

“Off the top of your head. We’ve earned everything we’ve done. That hurt us on Saturday.”

Christian Smith will miss Saturday’s clash through injury while Jordan Cox is facing a suspension after his late sending off as tempers flared in the closing stages of the Berkshire derby.

“The games are all going to be tough now,” added

Devonshire. “Everyone’s fighting for their lives in the league. But it’s good. I’d rather have it that way than us fighting for nothing or being down at the wrong end of the table.

“We’ve got 12 cup finals left and it’s something to look forward to.

“Kieron Forbes is definitely out for a few weeks. Looks like Christian Smith will be out for a few weeks.

“Three other players have dead legs and could also be touch and go.”