WEYMOUTH 2

Shields 86, Dallas 90+6 pen

MAIDENHEAD UNITED 1

Barratt 50

WEYMOUTH came from behind to steal victory from 10-man Maidenhead in a thrilling finish to their Vanarama National League clash at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

A tepid first half gave way to a pulsating second which came to life when Maidenhead’s Sam Barratt scored direct from a corner.

Crucially, the Magpies’ Manny Parry was sent off for a lunging tackle on Pierre Fonkeu.

His dismissal reinvigorated Weymouth and a Sean Shields cross floated into the far corner with four minutes remaining, before Andy Dallas won and scored a penalty six minutes into stoppage-time.

READ MORE: Weymouth 2-1 Maidenhead - how it happened

Ecstatic at the final whistle after a display that merited just a point, Weymouth boss Brian Stock made two changes to the side that began the 1-0 loss at Chesterfield last Saturday.

In came Ben Thomson for the injured Josh McQuoid, who Stock revealed has had an X-ray on an ankle knock expected to keep him out for three weeks.

Brennan Camp was named in the starting line-up but suffered a hamstring niggle in the warm-up, leading to Fonkeu coming in with Calvin Brooks shuffling to right-back.

Dorset Echo: Pierre Fonkeu was handed a start following Brennan Camp's hamstring injury Picture: MARK PROBINPierre Fonkeu was handed a start following Brennan Camp's hamstring injury Picture: MARK PROBIN

Jordan Ngalo was given his 100th Terras appearance, while there was an impeccably served minute’s silence for Yeovil captain Lee Collins who died aged 32 earlier this week.

When play started, the Terras won a corner in the third minute when Dallas’ shot deflected behind, although Maidenhead dealt with the corner authoritatively.

Danilo Orsi, who scored twice for the Magpies in a 3-2 FA Trophy defeat to Weymouth earlier in the season, then curled just wide from 20 yards.

Orsi was involved again when Ryheem Sheckleford’s deep cross to the back stick found the midfielder to supply a low cross for Nathan Blissett whose backheel was saved by Ross.

Weymouth took a while to get going but burst into life when Ben Thomson and Dallas combined to set up Fonkeu for a swirling left-footed shot that stretched keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond.

The Terras’ uptick in attacks continued in the 28th minute when Dom Revan intercepted a stray pass and found Thomson.

His offload to Fonkeu in a central position invited the winger to surge forward and pick out Shields to fizz a shot over from just inside the box on the left.

Weymouth had to contend with 6ft 5in Blissett at the other end and Jacob Mensah took a boot to the face when the giant striker attempted an overhead kick.

Maidenhead ended the half strongly when Barratt was on two occasions denied by a flying Ross from 25 yards.

Barratt was to finally beat Ross direct from a corner five minutes after the restart.

Ollie Harfield got back to concede a corner and Barratt’s dipping corner floated through a crowd of bodies at the near post before deceiving Ross on the goalline, the keeper’s touch unable to prevent the goal.

Dorset Echo: Sam Barratt scored direct from a corner for Maidenhead Picture: MARK PROBINSam Barratt scored direct from a corner for Maidenhead Picture: MARK PROBIN

With Weymouth in need of an energy boost, they were granted one when Parry was dismissed.

In a 50-50 tackle with Fonkeu, the powerful central defender went studs up, off the ground and into the winger to earn his marching orders with 33 minutes to go.

Weymouth immediately improved but could not fashion a chance before Ross kept them in the game, making a fine low save to deny Orsi’s shot on the turn.

The hosts had a firm grip on possession as Maidenhead got back in numbers, Shields dancing through several tackles before Dallas drove at Ashby-Hammond from 20 yards.

Stock turned to his bench as Ngalo and Fonkeu made way for Josh Wakefield and Cameron Murray in search of an equaliser.

After Dallas flicked a golden chance wide, Maidenhead switched three players in response, Barratt, Orsi and James Comley coming off for Alfie Egan, James Coley and Seth Twumasi respectively.

Maidenhead looked solid and untroubled before a moment of fortune got Weymouth back on level terms in the 86th minute.

A regulation move bore no danger to the Magpies until Shields’ cross was picked up by the wind and, behind the sun, Ashby-Hammond was caught underneath the ball as his effort nestled in the far corner.

Dorset Echo: Sean Shields' floated cross nestles in the far corner Picture: MARK PROBINSean Shields' floated cross nestles in the far corner Picture: MARK PROBIN

Weymouth had four minutes to conjure what had seemed an unlikely winner.

As they came forward at will, Brooks’ cross was too strong for McCarthy at the back post – the final bit of quality lacking as it had all afternoon.

But the Terras’ best moment came when they needed it the most.

Dallas raced onto a long ball and drew a foul inside the box from Alan Massey for a stone wall penalty which the Scot converted with aplomb down the middle in the 96th minute to steal all three points.

Dorset Echo: Andy Dallas scored his seventh goal of the season to hand Weymouth all three points Picture: MARK PROBINAndy Dallas scored his seventh goal of the season to hand Weymouth all three points Picture: MARK PROBIN

Terras: Ross, Fonkeu (Murray 70), Ngalo (Wakefield 70), McCarthy, Thomson, Brooks, Dallas, Mensah, Revan, Harfield, Shields. Subs not used: Benfield, Luque, Leslie-Smith.

Maidenhead: Ashby-Hammond, Wells, Parry, Clarima, Comley (Twumasi 77), Blissett, Orsi (Coley 73), Sheckleford, Upward, Massey, Barratt (Egan 78). Subs not used: Sparkes, Lovett.

Referee: Tom Bishop