Maidenhead pull clear of danger

Hippolyte is happy with Maidenhead's recent performances

Manager Johnson Hippolyte feels his Maidenhead United side have now got some breathing space after Saturday's 2-1 win at Bognor Regis Town.

Carl Wilson-Denis gave the Magpies the lead with Dominic Sterling doubling the advantage after the break.

"We identified it as a 'must-win game', what you'd call a six-pointer, as they were three points behind us," Hippolyte told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"It gives us a bit of breathing space, so it was very important to get a win."

Hippolyte has been pleased with the team's form since the start of 2008.

"For the last eight games we've played really well, not conceding many, winning a few and drawing a few," added Hippolyte.

He added that they knew Saturday's game against Bognor Regis, who were sitting one place and three points behind them, was an important one.

"We identified it as a 'must-win-game', what you'd call a six-pointer, as they were three points behind us. It gives us a little bit of breathing space now, so it was very important to get a win," he said.

Despite the win at Bognor, Hippolyte did not allow the team a night out at the seaside: "Last time we did that we lost the next three games so we knocked that right on the head!"

Maidenhead United now sit in 16th place in Blue Square South, 14 points clear of the relegation zone. Hippolyte said he had not made many changes to bring about the change of fortunes.

"We haven't really done anything differently. The boys are cutting out the errors that we were making so often earlier in the season and we're getting the rub of the green," he explained.

He also had some words of encouragement for beleaguered Reading manager Steve Coppell: "Winning does become a habit as well as losing.

"When you're down there, things just don't go your way - it can be 0-0 with five minutes of scoring and it seems you're in the habit of letting other teams score.

"It was happening to us earlier and now it's happening to Reading. But Reading are a good side and Coppell knows what he's doing - I'm sure they'll pull away."