Dominant Town miss their chance

As Wexham Road was bathed in glorious sunshine, the Rebels rose to the occasion to produce a fine display against high-flying Southport.

Sadly, though Slough dominated the play and positively outclassed the visitors, the only thing that matters about this match is the fact that Briley's team somehow failed to grab all three points when they were so badly needed.

Slough knew that Saturday afternoon was their D-day, and this knowledge was epitomised by Fiore and Sayer's bustling early forward play. They were thankful, however, on 10 minutes, when Fuller sliced a shot wide from the edge of the area.

On 17 minutes, Lee's ball released Sayer to bring a fine flying save from Moore, and after the resulting corner was cleared ineffectively, Manning's in-swinger found its way to Sayer again.The blond-haired striker produced an overhead kick that bounced narrowly wide of the post. The Rebels were playing with a resourcefulness and a purpose that has been lacking for so long.

Fiore was to take no further part in the proceedings, however, as he was carried off on 23 minutes with a knee complaint. The baton was duly passed to Brett Smith, with only one previous first-team appearance to his name.To his credit, the youngster gave his all for the remainder of the game.

Southport were restricted to just a handful of half-chances, though Slough themselves were full of ideas that were fine in theory but rather clumsy in realisation. Scott's header on 37 minutes was an exception to ihe rule, unfortunately blocked on the line by a Southport defender.

Slough finished the half on a high. Sayer did well to peel off his marker and deliver a testing mid-height header, while it was left to Quamina to end a well-worked move with a disappointing finish that found only Moore's arms when it should have found the net.

The Rebels' effort and enterprise could not be faulted during a vibrant first period. They had created couniless chances, yet the vital finish was sadly lacking, and was to remain so for the next 45 minutes.

Luck was to intervene three minutes into the second-half, as a deep cross was fumbled by Moore. Scott rose to steal the ball from the goalkeeper's hands and plant it into the net, but the linesman was clearly signalling for offside. lf the Rebels were dispirited, they were not to show it.

Bunting was called into action on 62 minutes, superbly parrying a Walmsley shot after a series of ricochets and rebounds left the substitute unmarked and in front of goal.

Steve Scott replaced the lacklustre Quamina after 74 minules, to add an additional attacking option as Slough began to despair of finding a way through.

Those prayers were almost answered in injury lime, as Dowson's free-kick found Sayer's head. Moore then produced another fine save to keep the resulting effort out of the net.

Effort and determination alone do not win football matches.lf they did, Slough would have notched up double figures today. If the Rebels cannot turn domination such as today's into points, they are playing into the hands of fate and, sadly, are asking to be relegated.