ALDERSHOT TN 1, MAIDSTONE TN 0

GARY Waddock swept back into the EBB Stadium and, with a typically dramatic flourish, made the tactical change that resulted in a late but thoroughly deserved first victory since his return to Aldershot Town.

From his first entrance on Tuesday, heralded by a huge fanfare and colourful welcome from his beloved East Bank, to Bernard Mensah’s fine 88th-minute winner, this was Waddock’s vision writ large: a vibrant atmosphere and an enthralling match blessed with pacy attacking football.

“It’s a wonderful feeling – and the manner in which we did it, it was quite exciting, I think,” he smiled. “The fans were brilliant, it was a fantastic atmosphere yet again and long may it continue.

“For long spells we had good possession and over the course of the game we deserved it, but you have to find a way to win,” added the manager who capitalised on an injury to Maidstone right-back Callum Driver by introducing Mensah on the left. “The players kept at it, they kept their discipline and didn’t show any frustration. It’s nice to keep a clean sheet, and that’s as important as Mensah’s goal.”

The Shots tore into the National League newcomers from kick-off but left victory until perilously late. Three chances came and went inside six minutes, two for Matt McClure and one for Jake Gallagher, as goalkeeper Lee Worgan kept Aldershot at bay.

The Stones belatedly asserted themselves, but were still restricted to sporadic half-chances and long-range efforts until the 40th minute when Jake Cole had to race off his line to smother Tom Murphy’s shot.

The hosts had everything bar a goal at the break, but Maidstone substitute Dumebi Dumaka threatened to lead a smash-and-grab raid in the second half as Aldershot again feared that they would rue their profligacy.

On 71 minutes, Dumaka launched a counter-attack through midfield and set Murphy breaking forward down the right to play a return cross into the box. Cole saved his audacious flick, but the intent was clear.

It was another replacement, however, who would go on to make a truly telling impact in the final third of the game. Even as Maidstone attempted to slow the game down and waste valuable time, Mensah’s pace exemplified the Shots’ endeavour and purpose.

Finally, with two minutes left of normal time, the winger pounced on a wayward ball out of defence and exchanged swift passes with McClure to break into the penalty area. With a fierce 15-yard drive which squeezed between Worgan and his near post, Mensah sent the East Bank into raptures.

Maidstone still refused to lie down, but already Aldershot have allied effervescent attacking play with a miserly defensive approach which will prove just as vital if the season is to be successful.

“Everybody knows how I like to play and the team that I wanted to assemble, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Waddock, stressing that his side is a ‘work-in-progress’. Yet the early signs are hugely encouraging for a club desperately in need of improvements in both league position and entertainment value.

Aldershot: Cole; Alexander, Reynolds, Saville, Straker; Fenelon (Kellermann 90), Gallagher, Bellamy, Allen (Mensah 60); McClure, Rendell (Evans 89). Subs (not used): Smith, Arnold. Booked: Bellamy.

Maidstone Tn: Worgan; Driver (Dumaka 54), Mills, Lokko, Rogers; Sweeney, Flisher, Murphy, Acheampong; Taylor, Greenhalgh (Paxman 46). Subs (not used): Coyle, Karagiannis, Evans. Booked: Mills.

Referee: Neil Hair.

Attendance: 2,355.