Brown Buries Boro

Jimmy Brown, the man who started the year on the transfer list, scored his fourth hat-trick of the season in Slough's final home match on Tuesday night.

And after his side came from behind to give themselves a real chance of finishing third in the league, manager Alan Davies paid tribute to his 28-goal marksman. “Especially in the last few weeks his work rate has been phenomenal, but some of the service hasn't been what it should have been. Tonight he was ready to respond. I give the lad full credit, as not only in games but in training, he's responded tremendously.

So what about that decision to transfer list him?

“I did it for his own good. I didn't want him to go knew what he was capable of and he added a little bit more to his game to help the team."

And Brown's latest threesome the others came against Hitchin, Dulwich and Milton Keynes could be especially valuable to Slough. For nearest rivals to the third spot, Hendon, lost at Dulwich on Tuesday, so a Rebels' win at Farnborough tomorrow would virtually clinch them the place behind Wycombe and Yeovil.

Certainly, if the fare at Cherrywood Avenue is as entertaining as Tuesday's, there shouldn't be too many disappointed customers. For this was no end of season stroll, as both sides threw themselves wholeheartedly into a contest highlighted by plenty of goalmouth activity.

Brown and Boro's Simon Red set the pattern with shooting practice in just the first five minutes. The visitors proved the more threatening in the opening quarter and Knight and Jacobs had to clear Slough's decks.

Then, in the 25th minute, the Rebels nearly went in front themselves. From White's cross, Brown hit the woodwork from close range and then had a second effort cleared of the line with the 'keeper beaten. The ball bobbled about invitingly and Jacobs appealed in vain for a penalty after his shot was blocked before 'Boro finally hoofed clear.

Just after, the same player fluffed a more obvious opportunity after MacMahon had defied an off-side trap. Jimmy Bolton, considered by Davies as a possible replacement for Brown in the New Year, linked well with Read before belittling his reputation as the division’s leading scorer with a careless blast wide.

After all that, it was remarkable that the half-time scoresheet was blank, but 'Boro took the advantage four minutes after the break. Full-back Walden crossed from the byline, then Bailey's unsuccessful attempt was blocked before Read shot firmly past Bunting.

Skipper Keith White wasted a chance before laying on Slough's leveller after 57 minutes. His deep ball found Brown in the box and the striker stole a march on Price to shoot crisply past Lunn.

Half time substitute Mark Davis had failed to make an impression and Kenny Wilson came on with 11 minutes left for probably his last Wexham Park appearance. And the still-injured wingers presence seemed to inspire his colleagues to their flourishing finish.

In the 82nd minute, he chased Bunting's long-kick which reached the box via a defender and touched on for Brown to hammer home across-shot in off the post for 2-1.

With Bolton looking increasingly threatening, Brown clinched the issue three minutes from the end, when he beat the offside trap after Bateman’s delivery and again finished sharply. He could even have had a fourth in the last minute, before Bunting superbly saved a Bailey drive.

It was that sort of game. “In the first half, we had three or four good chances, but we didn't make their 'keeper make a save," said Davies. “That has been the story for the last few games and then they got a ricochet and scored. But I thought we deserved to win, though it was a long time coming.”