NORTH FERRIBY UTD 0, ALDERSHOT TN 3

ALDERSHOT Town have now been to Hull and back in their quest for an unlikely National League play-off place, but after a hugely impressive victory on the banks of the Humber are now on the verge of surprising perhaps even themselves.

A point against relegation battlers Braintree at the EBB Stadium on Saturday will confirm a top-five place – and a two-legged play-off semi-final against Tranmere Rovers – after closest rivals Dover Athletic lost against Torquay and, on Tuesday night, were held to a 2-2 draw by Macclesfield.

Dover need to win at Barrow on Saturday to have a chance of drawing level on points with Aldershot, but with an inferior goal difference inferior by six, they need a miracle to make the top five now.

Bernard Mensah, who on Friday morning signed a new one-year contract with the Shots, was Gary Waddock’s match-winner at North Ferriby and in doing so highlighted his value to the team in a season in which he has now provided 11 goals and 12 assists.

Yet this was as much a triumph for Aldershot’s defensive resolve and solidity as Mensah’s attacking flair as the Villagers – last week relegated from the National League after just one season – threatened to derail the Shots’ charge.

“You’ve got to give credit to North Ferriby, they gave it a right go,” admitted Waddock, “but I thought we were really professional from start to finish. Everybody played a part again, and yet again our supporters played a massive part as well. We then stepped up a gear in the second half and we deserved to win, but these are always difficult games. Relegated teams can play with no fear.”

Genuine chances were at a premium in the opening third of the game. Both sides failed to capitalise upon ample endeavour, although North Ferriby frequently unsettled the visitors’ defence.

Then, on 31 minutes, Mensah launched a counter-attack from his own penalty area. Kundai Benyu’s shot was blocked, but Matt McClure spread play out to Nick Arnold on the left and the full-back’s teasing, inswinging cross found Mensah ghosting in to glance a free header past Owen Evans.

The second half was a much more open encounter. Cheye Alexander was perhaps fortunate to survive a clumsy attempt at chesting the ball down in his own goalmouth amidst Ferriby’s vehement appeals for handball.

McClure saw an angled shot well saved before Aldershot scored the killer second goal on 62 minutes. With his first touch after replacing Shamir Fenelon, Scott Rendell knocked Arnold’s free-kick into the centre and Mensah pounced from seven yards to double the lead.

Rendell then hit the far post with a towering header, but Ferriby refused to capitulate. Robbie Tinkler’s own powerful header struck the upright and Connor Oliver had a flashing volley tipped over by Jake Cole.

Aldershot sealed the victory in the 83rd minute. Mensah’s near-post corner found Rendell in ample space to power a header past Evans.

Cole preserved a clean sheet in stoppage time by tipping Reece Thompson’s angled drive over the crossbar

“The thing that I’m looking forward to the most is the EBB Stadium being packed,” said Waddock. “I think the players will respond to that. We have to make sure we perform because it’s not over yet.”

North Ferriby: Evans, Topliss (Cooke 46), Gray, Oliver, Hare, Middleton, Tinkler (Bolton 86), Dixon, Fallowfield (Cosgrove 74), Emerton, Thompson. Subs (not used): Keyi, Bell. Booked: Gray.

Aldershot: Cole; Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Arnold (Straker 72); Gallagher, Kellermann (Oyeleke 65); Fenelon (Rendell 62), Benyu, Mensah; McClure. Subs (not used): Hyam, Smith.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse.

Attendance: 562.

* National League play-offs: 1st Semi-Final: Wed, May 3 – Aldershot or Dover v Tranmere (7pm); Sat, May 6 – Tranmere v Aldershot/Dover (12.15 pm). 2nd Semi-Final – Dagenham v Forest Green on Thurs, May 4 and Sun, May 7.

The final will be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 14 (ko 3pm).