A wonder goal from a former Stone and a disappointing all round team performance robbed Maidstone United of the ideal boost into their Clubs biggest match in its history as George Elokobi watched on as Play Off rivals Aveley took the spoils on Monday night. 

After a tight and frantic first half in which both sides missed guilt edged chances to take the lead – in Aveley’s case you will never see a clearer one – the second half really belonged to the home side and Razzaq Coleman De-Graff in particular. Ten minutes after half time, the former Stone produced amazing balance, skill and determination leaving Stone after Stone in his wake as he pirouetted his way through the Amber wall before giving keeper Lucas Covolan no chance.  

With just four minutes left, it was his pace that beat the Stones rearguard this time and although Covolan pulled off an excellent block, the hard-working Charlee Hughes was rewarded by hammering home the rebound. 

Coleman De-Graft blazed an early warning for the Stones high over the bar early on, and Covolan was perhaps fortunate to see an attempted clearance cannon off Hughes and behind for a goal-kick – the first on many decision given by the consistently inconsistent official who allowed so much of the game to flow it at time almost became a farce. 

Maidstone’s main threat down the left came from Lamar Reynolds and from one such run either off a defender or the keeper, the Stones no 10 crashed an effort off the frame of the goal. 

What happened next really defies even the laws of physics! 

A wonderful run into the visitor’s box by Ryan Carr found Manny Ogrunrinde no more than a yard out unmarked and yet somehow the Aveley man not only failed to score but the ball went over the bar! 

Reynolds then had Maidstone’s best chance as he got on the end of Gavin Hoyte’s terrific run only to snatch at the shot and send it heading towards the Dartford crossing! That sparked the Stones best period of the game as Manny Duku was bravely denied by keeper Jon North whilst with the first periods last kick, Sam Corne was brilliantly denied by North at full stretch. 

Sadly, that is as good as it got for Maidstone as the second half saw the home team up the tempo to a pace that the visitors struggled with. 

Coleman De-Graft waited too long for an early chance, and it was gone before the wonder goal ten minutes into the half put the home side ahead. 

The Stones night then got worse when Paul Appiah was shown his second yellow card meaning that he will not be part of the Stones squad that travels to the Ricoh Arena next week. 

Covolan was at his brave best to deny Hughes before brilliantly back pedalling to claw a swerving dipping cross cum shot from Harry Gibbs out from the top corner. 

The home was not to be denied as Hughes was on hand from the Stones keepers fourth really good save of the second half to seal the points and send the Stones contingent back across the bridge dreaming of their next trip in seven days’ time.  

You would hope that such a disappointing display (especially against a Play Off rival) is just pre big match nerves, as Aveley now close to within two points of their visitors with just four points separating fourth to nineth… 

Boss George Elokobi will be for one… 

AVELEY – North, Jambang (Ring), Vaz, Odelusi, Terry, Gibbs, Krasniqi (Eze), Carr, Coleman De-Graft, Ogrunrinde (Aileru), Hughes  

Subs – Kyei, Jones 

MAIDSTONE UNITED – Covolan, Hoyte, Greenidge, Fowler, Appiah, Berkeley-Agyepong, Corne, Bone (Tanga), Reynolds (Liam Sole), Duku (Faal), Rush  

Subs – Earle, Brown.