Ollie Pearce double makes the difference for promotion hopefuls York

National League top scorer Ollie Pearce netted a brace as York recorded a late 3-1 victory away to struggling Maidenhead to keep their promotion dream alive.

York goalkeeper Rory Watson kept out Shawn McCoulsky’s early close-range effort before Reece Smith fired over as the home side pressed for an opener, while Pearce headed wide at the other end.

And summer signing Pearce broke the deadlock for the visitors just before the break as he got the last touch following a corner to record his 20th league goal of the season.

Tristan Abrahams equalised for the relegation-threatened Magpies just after the hour mark as he picked out the bottom corner, but Pearce completed his double at the end – for number 21 – before Josh Stones added the gloss in the sixth minute of stoppage-time.