Maidenhead United's solid league form is halted by the Stones

Cole Kpekawa. Photo: Grace Scott

--

Maidstone United 3, Maidenhead United 2

Maidenhead United's hopes of closing the gap on sides above them in the National League table were thwarted by a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Maidstone United on Saturday.

The Magpies came into the clash at the Gallagher Stadium off the back of successive 2-1 wins over Aldershot Town and Eastleigh, and they had three wins and a draw to their name from their past five league fixtures, but this game went against them, and they couldn't complain too bitterly about that after the final whistle.

They conceded three times in a league game for the first time since the opening day of the season, a 3-0 defeat at Notts County, and the defensive discipline and resilience that has characterised their last few performances was sadly missing against an improving Maidstone side that have lifted themselves four points clear of the relegation places.

The result looks close on paper, but the Magpies were always chasing in this one, falling 2-0 behind in the first half before Charlee Adams reduced the deficit with a wonderful free kick. Maidstone restored their two-goal cushion after the interval and were closing in on a comfortable victory when Reece Smith scored for the second game in a row, the midfielder finding the net in injury time.

The Magpies were missing central defender Will De Havilland for the trip to Maidstone and perhaps that just unsettled the visitor's backline.

They fell behind after only three minutes, Dom Odusanya striking the ball into the bottom right-hand corner after some good build up play, and that really set the tone for the opening 20 minutes.

The Stones continued to look comfortable in possession, with Barham rattling the crossbar in the 14th minute.

The Magpies threatened sporadically, with Emile Acquah forcing a save from the Stones' keeper Sandford, but the hosts continued to have the upper hand and they doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Adams was adjudged to have handled in the area in the 17th minute and Regan Booty buried the penalty to give Alan Devonshire's side a mountain to climb.

In fairness to them they responded well to this double set-back, Sam Barratt picking out Adams for a low shot that was well saved by the keeper in the 23rd minute.

Dan Gyollai pulled off a terrific reaction save to deny Christie Pattisson as the game swung from end to end, but United gave themselves a foothold in the contest when Adams swept home a brilliant free kick in the 37th minute.

As they came off for the interval, Maidenhead might have felt momentum was with them, however, hopes of a comeback were quickly punctured when Pattisson restored the Stones' two-goal advantage in the 48th minute.

United had their chances, with a firm header from Remy Clerima scrambled away after a fine save in the 56th minute.

Shawn McCoulsky and Idris Odutayo came on to replace Ashley Nathaniel-George and Alan Massey with around half an hour left and McCoulsky failed to lob Sandford as he battled for possession with Greenidge.

But the hosts held onto their two-goal cushion until injury-time, when Smith squeezed a shot past Sandford to give the visitors a glimmer of hope. Sadly, for them it came much too late to take something from the game.

The result leaves the Magpies 13th in the table, three points off the play-offs having played one or two more games than most of the sides above them.

They return to action at home to Dorking Wanderers next Saturday, 12.30pm kick-off.