Fans anxious as Slough slip from second and rivals close in

The Championship beyond them Slough's concern on Saturday was to halt the progress of fellow high-flyers Yeovil at their plush Huish Park Stadium base, but it didn't work out how they would have wished - the West Country side putting five goals past a disconsolate Trevor Bunting.

Dagenham and Redbridge seized their opportunity to move into second spot, a point in front with two games left, while both Yeovil and Stafford Rangers can now pip Dave Kemp's side.

It would be a desperate injustice to the Rebels if their magnificent season was to be marred by a disappointing run-in allowing faster finishers to jump above them but Kemp and his camp know a season is 42 games long.

Wins against Witton, on Saturday, and at Stafford on May 1st would be a suitable conclusion.

At Yeovil, Slough were beaten by half time, 3-0 down, bad luck, questionable officiating and the lethal dead ball skills of Paul Batty leaving them with little to play for but pride.

Yeovil were not themselves over impressive but took their chances clinically while at the other end Coles performed ably to deny Slough.

Trevor Bunting had already made one decent early save to keep out Mickey Spencer's low shot before the hosts went in front on nine minutes.

Les Briley, was adjudged — perhaps harshly — to have handled when he blocked a driven shot from point blank range.

Batty, one of the Conference's finest midfield men, floated the free kick over Bunting and into the far corner.

Yeovil, clearly lifted, surged forward and it was no great surprise when on 2S minutes Batty doubled the advantage.

Slough again penalised on the edge of their area, though this time on the other side and Batty trotted forward to repeat the dose but in the opposite corner.

It's difficult to level criticism at Bunting, when the ball is delivered with such accuracy, but for both efforts he appeared to be some yards off his line, inviting Batty to find the top corners.

A congested midfield saw Ian Hazel rather than Les Briley prosper but there was little for the new strike pairing of Andy Sayer and Neal Stanley to seize upon.

Ten minutes before the break Bunting had to cope with Batty's freekick power again. On this occasion, from long range, Bunting seemed in control, leaping to make the catch, as he came down though he collided with Russell Edwards, and the ball came loose. The lanky centre back tried to hack clear but succeeded only in driving the ball against Spencer and the rebound flew in; even then there was controversy, Slough's defence protesting that Spencer had used his arm.

The goal however stood and it was difficult to see a way back for Town. Fiore and Hazel tried to conjure something, a swift interchange of passes allowing Fiore in for a volley which Coles saved superbly.

Somewhat surprisingly Kemp resisted any temptation to throw on substitute strikers George Friel and Paul McKinnon and persevered.

On 55 minutes it got worse for Slough, Spencer's cross was delivered at pace and Cooper darted away from Edwards to flash a header beyond the helpless Bunting.

Within five minutes Yeovil had a fifth, Bunting misjudged the cross, Cooper headed back across goal and Spencer nipped in front of Brian Lee to score.

Yeovil seemed content and Slough, playing for pride, responded well both Sayer and Hazel tested Coles from distance and Kemp did replace Lee with Friel and five minutes after McKinnon came on for the hobbling Anderson.

Friel's first contribution was to bring a fine full length save from Coles with a well struck free kick.

McKinnon too was on target with a forceful free kick, but again Coles was untroubled.

Slough got some reward for their persistence with just 10 minutes of the contest remaining. Pluckrose's cross was brought down well by Stanley, who cut in to beat one defender, but before he could strike, his feet were taken from under him; the penalty was awarded before Sayer thumped the loose ball home.

Unperturbed Hazel clipped the spot-kick low into the corner for his second goal of the week.