Maidstone fell to their sixth straight away defeat on at a bright, breezy and cold Saturday afternoon at fellow promotion rivals AFC Hornchurch, dealing them a crushing blow to their aspirations of a second title in a row.

The opening exchanges offered little to inspire as both sides sought to adapt to the windy conditions and difficult playing surface.

In a 5-minute spell just after the 10 minute mark the home side tested the visitors defence forcing a good save by Worgan to his left after a goal-bound header by Stefan Payne. From the resulting in-swinging corner Payne was again denied. Moments later from another corner George Purcell shot just over The Stones’ crossbar after a defensive mix-up.

On 15mins Payne and Purcell linked up well on the half-way line but The Stones’ Graeme Andrews made a vital interception to avoid a clear chance to run at goal.

Good link up play between Alex Brown and Alex Flisher on 22 minutes ended with the latter’s strike at goal charged down by the home sides resolute defending.

Moments later The Stones’ created two dead ball opportunities in quick succession – a Michael Phillips free kick met by Brown’s head was well defended. The resulting corner was met by Jack Harris 10 yards out but his mistimed header failed to trouble home ‘keeper Echepare.

On 25 minutes The Stones fell behind. Harris lost possession under pressure from a clearance by Worgan. The subsequent through-ball found Payne in on goal under pressure from Andrews but his strong right footed effort from 20 yards beat the advancing Worgan, settling in the back of the net – Andrews received lengthy treatment after the goal for an ankle injury which he later succumbed to before half-time.

On 35 minutes a poor clearance by Jerrome Sobers fell to E  yong 20 yards out – Worgan watching the shot fall harmlessly wide, clipping the side netting on its way past goal.

In first half injury time Purcell forced a great saving tackle by Jack Sullivan. The resulting corner created absolute mayhem in the 6-yard box with an almighty scramble. The Stones’ resolute defence put their bodies on the line, desperately keeping the ball out – Once cleared Worgan received brief treatment for a facial injury sustained during the melee.

The Stones started the second half well. Either side of snap shot by the home side’s Payne that Worgan watched wide, the busy Rory Hill firstly provided Harris with a half-chance whilst Hill then forced Echepare into a save with a low goal-bound attempt.

Shortly after, a long searching ball by Sullivan inviting Harris to run onto was dealt with by the advancing Echepare, coming off his line to clear the danger.

The Stones continued to ask questions of the home side and on 56 minutes Flisher headed a glorious opportunity over from 6 yards from a Phillips’ corner.

Shortly after, The Stone’s momentarily lost their discipline. A strong challenge just inside their own half resulted in a yellow card for Rory Hill whilst captain Phillips picked up a yellow for another challenge on the half-way line. But worse came moments later after a high lunge by Flisher on Hornchurch’s Spencer on the half-way line saw referee Crysell brandish the red card for the challenge.

10 minutes after being reduced to 10 men, The Stones then saw their numbers fall to 9 under bizarre circumstances. On 72 minutes having been awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, The Stones’ Phillips saw an opening, taking it quickly, however referee Crysell brought play back indicating he wasn’t ready for the free kick to be taken with Phillips shown a second yellow for seeking to gain an advantage.

Despite being down to 9 men for the final 20 minutes, The Stones reorganised themselves well with Worgan having little to do, Hornchurch left to shoot from long range unable to break down the defensive unit.

The Stones’ had heart in mouth moment with only three minutes remaining when scorer Payne fell inside the penalty area but the astute Crysell blew his whistle booking Payne for diving.

Into second half injury time The Stones’ created opportunities to get an increasingly unlikely point. Firstly substitutes Charley Robertson and Dan Parkinson linked up well with Harris with Prkinson’s shot deflected for a corner. From the corner Parkinson again found an opening but his snap shot went harmlessly over the bar.

In the final minute of injury time Worgan saved well low to his left after a shot from the edge of the area went through a crowd of players although he was unaware an offside flag had been raised.

So a 1-0 defeat means The Stones dropped a place to third in the table with competition around them hotting up. The Stones, having played more games than all the sides around them, need to halt their away day blues or will see their promotion aspirations fade at what is now a crucial stage of the season going into the final few round of games.

 

AFC Hornchurch: Echepre, Rainford, Spencer, Styles ©, Hayles, Curley, Eyong (Starkey, 83), May, Payne, Purcell (Bremner, 89), D. Phillips (Rook, 77)

Subs Not Used: Coyne, Folkes

Goals: 25 (Payne)

Maidstone United: Worgan, Sullivan, Mills, Andrews (Parkinson, 38), Sobers, M. Phillips ©, Hill (Robertson, 79), Brown, Attwood (Collin, 84), Harris, Flisher

Subs Not Used: Hughes-Mason, Godmon

Sent off: 72 (Flisher)

Referee: Adam Crysell

Assistants: Ryan Whitaker, Gary Baker