KENSLEY Maloney boosted Bracknell Town’s hopes of climbing out of the Hellenic League Premier Division relegation zone by scoring in their 1-0 win at Brackley Saints, writes Dave Wright.

It was a much-needed victory for the Robins following their 3-2 home defeat by Binfield a week earlier.

“All the things we didn’t do against Binfield we put right,” said manager Mark Tallentire.

“Our shape was a lot better and we worked a lot harder. We played as a unit, defended well and were hard to break down. It was a dogged performance.”

The Robins remain second from last in the table with 20 points, but are now just five behind fifth-from-bottom Milton United with eight games in hand on them.

And these two sides clash at Larges Lane this Saturday (3pm).

Tallentire added: “It was a must-win game for us at Brackley and Milton is another, but then they all are while we are in our current position. Each game is like a cup final for us.

“We need to take points off sides like Brackley and Milton, as they are among the teams we are trying to chase down.”

In addition to the Saints, Bracknell had to contend with a howling wind and driving rain at St James Park on Saturday.

“The conditions were atrocious for the whole game,” commented Tallentire.

But the Robins adapted themselves well against their hosts, who lie 14th in the table, as they looked to make it a double following their 2-1 home win in September.

“In games like this you need to have some resilience and today we were resilient,” said the manager.

“At the end of the day I see it as three very good points.”

Victory – their second away from home in the league this season – came courtesy of a well-worked goal after 78 minutes.

Midfielder Jamie McClurg made a strong run down the left flank before producing an excellent cross to the far post, where Maloney was on hand to head the ball into the net.

Recent signing Maloney, who also scored in the home defeat by Binfield, has now netted four goals in as many games since returning from suspension.

Robins were missing striker Johnnie Dyer with a calf injury and Tallentire admitted: “He is seeing a specialist this week to see the extent of the damage, but if it’s torn he could be out for a little while.”

Bracknell have signed former Slough Town midfielder George Short.