United 1

(Foulston 86′)

Maidstone United 1

(Seaman 39′)

 

It ended all-square at Plainmoor on Tuesday, as Jay Foulston’s late equaliser maintained United’s unbeaten home record.

Following Saturday’s goalless draw with Tonbridge, Gulls boss Paul Wotton made three changes to his starting line-up, with Finn Tonks, Lirak Hasani and Cody Cooke taking the places of Finley Craske, Omar Mussa and Brad Ash.

Charlie Seaman fired Maidstone in front just before the break, and it looked like that would be decisive, until Foulston popped up with a late leveller.

Things took a little while to get going, as the two sides largely nullified each other’s attacking threats.

The 24th minute was an exception to that pattern however, as Will Jenkins Davies fed Tonks into space inside the box, with the recalled right-back letting fly with a powerful effort that was tipped over by Stones goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr.

The visitors began to gain a foothold in proceedings thereafter, and in the 39th minute they opened the scoring.

A uncharacteristic loose challenge from Sam Dreyer saw The Stones awarded a free-kick 22 yards from goal, and with the Seaman fancying his chances, he duly delivered with a fine curling right-footer than flew past James Hamon and into the top corner to give his side a half-time advantage.

The second half began with Wotton’s men on the front foot, and they nearly drew level eleven minutes in.

An excellent cross from the left-hand byline from Jenkins Davies left The Stones’ defence left as onlookers, with Cody Cooke timing his run perfectly before powering his header straight into Andre’s palms.

Jenkins Davies’ 67th minute dipper from 20 yards was just a little too high, but at least now The Gulls were asking their opponents a few more questions.

It wasn’t all one-way though, with Hamon forces to make an important point-blank block to keep out substitute Shaquile Coulthirst’s close range effort as the minutes began to tick down.

Just when it looked like Torquay’s proud unbeaten home record may be about to slip away, they managed to grab an equaliser with four minutes left.

With United awarded a free-kick 35 yards out on the left, the delivery was met perfectly by the head of Foulston, who steered the ball inside the post to make it 1-1.

Although the Yellow Army were desperate for a last-gasp winner, it was Hamon who was the busier in the dying stages, with the final whistle confirming a valuable point when all is considered.

Next up, a break in National League action, but a FA Trophy test at home to Truro on Saturday.

 

UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer (16. Ed Palmer, 64′), 5. Sam Dreyer (c), 7. Lirak Hasani (10. Omar Mussa, 55′), 8. Jordan Young (11. Brad Ash, 81′), 14. Matt Carson (48. Keke Jeffers, 61′), 17. Finn Tonks (18. Oscar Threlkeld, 90′), 19. Cody Cooke, 20. Dan Hayfield, 22. Will Jenkins Davies.

Yellow Card: Dreyer 38′, Young 79′

 

MAIDSTONE: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 5. George Fowler, 7. Jon Benton (18. Bivesh Gurung, 84′), 8. Sam Corne, (c), 9. Aaron Blair, 11. Charlie Seaman, 14. Tayt Trusty, 19. Pierre Fonkeu (6. Sam Smith, 84′), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (15. Harry Lodovica 66′, 10. Shaquile Coulthirst, 78′).

SUBS NOT USED:  13. Lenny Holden.

Yellow Card: Papadopoulos 14′, Lodovica 67′, Gurung 90′

 

Attendance: 2,855 (34 away)