MAIDSTONE UTD 0, ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

ALDERSHOT staged a superlative smash-and-grab raid at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday to underline their National League play-off credentials in style.

Finely-crafted goals from Kundai Benyu and Jake Gallagher came at crucial moments as Maidstone United belied their lowly status with a strong performance, only to also show why they are relegation candidates by failing to take chances of their own.

Shots manager Gary Waddock made three bold team changes – top scorer Scott Rendell was left on the bench – and switched his side’s formation, but these choices were entirely vindicated by a victory which extends Aldershot’s unbeaten run to six games.

“This was a crucial win,” said assistant manager James Rowe, undertaking media duties. “We showed fighting qualities in the second half when they threw a lot at us and I think that overall we deserved the result. There was great team spirit. We’re a small, but very capable squad.”

A cagey opening suggested that the Stones would prove troublesome opposition but, with Benyu, Gallagher and Jim Kellermann matching the Kent side’s own three-man midfield, an early breakthrough proved vital.

On 19 minutes, Benyu pounced on a loose ball and burst towards the box, only to be blocked by Anthony Acheampong just outside the penalty area. From the resulting free-kick, keeper Lee Worgan left a teasing gap at the far post which Benyu himself found with a fiercely-whipped drive over the defensive wall.

Nonetheless, Maidstone were a lively threat on the counter-attack. Wing-back Seth Twumasi looped a shot inches wide of goal and Callum Reynolds twice blocked efforts from Jamar Loza.

Maidstone’s sporadic momentum was magnified tenfold after the break.

Shots debutant Callum Buckley intercepted Loza’s dangerous near-post cross and Jake Cole somehow scrambled Jamie Coyle’s five-yard header off the line after the defender muscled in front of Bernard Mensah to meet an inswinging corner. “Absolutely outstanding,” said Rowe later.

Bobby-Joe Taylor fired weakly at Cole and although Mensah should have done better with two half-chances at the other end, the second half undoubtedly belonged to the hosts.

Aldershot defenders at times threatened to be their own worst enemy with some sloppy challenges, but they were redeemed by several robust blocks.

Many home fans thought Maidstone had scored a deserved equaliser, but Coyle’s hooked shot had only found the sidenetting.

Gradually, the Stones’ head of steam fizzled out and, on 87 minutes, Gallagher christened the stadium bearing his name with the killer second goal. Substitute Jonny Giles was superb out on the left and his deep cross dropped perfectly for the midfielder to side-foot a volley into the bottom corner.

There was still time for another Maidstone replacement and, just to confirm that it was not their day, Alex Flisher bent a shot against the crossbar deep into added time.

“Everyone has played their part,” added Rowe. “It was a real team effort and we must continue that as we have got ourselves into a good position. We need to build on this.”

It may have been just their fourth victory on the road this season, but it gave further credence to Aldershot’s increasingly convincing claims on making a late run into the top five.

Maidstone Utd: Worgan; Acheampong, Coyle, Mills; Twumasi, Prestedge, Lewis, Paxman (Flisher 77), Taylor (Sam-Yorke 67); Pigott, Loza (Karagiannis 83). Subs (not used): Lokko, Rogers. Booked:?Prestedge.

Aldershot: Cole; Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Buckley; Kellermann, Gallagher, Benyu (Giles 73); Fenelon (Rendell 63), McClure, Mensah (Kanu 63). Subs (not used): Smith, Straker. Booked: Gallagher, Kellermann, Kanu, Reynolds.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 2,293.

* Barrow AFC, also emerging as serious play- off contenders, especially after their recent shock 3-0 win over leaders Lincoln City, visit the EBB Stadium this Saturday. The Cumbrian side are seventh in the table, just a point behind Aldershot, but with two games in hand.

* Aldershot have extended the loan of midfielder Kundai Benyu from Ipswich Town until Saturday, March 4. The 19-year-old has made eight appearances, including six starts, since joining the Shots in December. He is now available for a further five games.