Pools struggled to deal with Maidenhead’s bombardment of their box and went behind after 14 minutes when Casey Pettit turned Will De Havilland’s knock-down beyond Pete Jameson following Sam Barratt’s corner from the right.
The visitors had to survive a number of scares, including when Barratt hit the post four minutes before the break, but were handed a lifeline when Callum Cooke volleyed in a leveller in the 51st minute after some excellent work by Louis Stephenson down the flank.
However, Kevin Phillips’ side were unable to make the most of getting back on terms and were behind again with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Sam Beckwith’s shot deflected past Pete Jameson.
And the hosts made sure of the result four minutes from time when substitute Shawn McCoulsky tapped in at the back post after Jayden Mitchell-Lawson dragged an effort across the face of goal.
Here’s how the Pools players rated from an underwhelming evening in Berkshire:
5. Louis Stephenson: 6
Certainly his most difficult game since returning to the side against Halifax, Maidenhead seemed to have targeted the teenager and Sam Barratt refused to give him a moment's peace throughout a difficult evening. Almost cost Pools when he had his pocket picked by Barratt just before half time but showed a fair degree of grit and determination to respond after the break, defending better and making the equaliser with a fantastic run, beating two Magpies defenders before delivering a threatening cross which fell to Cooke. Photo: Frank Reid
6. Nicky Featherstone: 5
Not his sort of game. Never really made much of an impression on the contest and was unable to provide some much-needed control in midfield, although whenever Pools did have a decent spell he was at the heart of it. Seemed out of sorts and frustrated all evening and spent too much time arguing with referee Alan Dale. Photo: Frank Reid
7. Tom Crawford: 6
A similar story to Featherstone, although he saw more of the ball than the skipper, particularly in the first half. Made some tidy passes without ever really threatening to unlock the Maidenhead defence and faded after the break, particularly when he was moved out to the right following the introduction of Terrell Agyemang. Photo: Frank Reid
8. Callum Cooke: 7
Looked pretty lively in the first half despite limited opportunities with the ball at his feet and drew Pools level in the 51st minute with a superb half-volley, his sixth goal of the season. Was full of effort and enthusiasm although he was another guilty of frustrating by failing to beat the first man at a set-piece. Photo: Frank Reid