Two second half goals helped Maidstone United to make a comeback after being 2-0 down at half time against Leiston.
The stones have recently had trouble with injuries and suspensions, this left Jay Saunders with limited choices, but the acquisition of Tom Phipp from Ebbsfleet on a month long loan has given the manager more options.
Maidstone started the game unbeaten at home in the league this season, but this statistic looked under threat when visiting goalkeeper Danny Gay’s long kick found winger Rhys Henry on the right; he was able to find space for a cross but Phipp was available to clear the ball away, his clearance fell back to Henry, but his shot took a touch of a Maidstone defender as it flew over.
The visitors sat in 20th position before kick-off but they were not going to sit back and let the league leaders attack, some good pressure from Leiston striker Craig Parker forced a bad pass by Steve Watt, leaving the attacker one- on- one with Lee Worgan but the goalkeeper was able to pull off a good reflex save to deny Parker.
Maidstone’s first promising attack came soon after, but after some good work from Rory Hill, his left footed shot was weak, leaving Worgan to make an easy save.
The first half was a tale of two wingers, with Hill on the right for the stones and the tricky Rhys Henry on the same side for the visitors, Henry put another outstanding cross into the area only for Leon Ottley-Gooch to put his glancing header wide.
Hill had another chance to push forward when Richard rose’s pass down the right wing found him with plenty of space, after taking another touch he left the goalkeeper planted to his spot as the ball powered onto the crossbar, Leiston were able to hurry the ball away.
Soon after the visitors were able to score their first goal of the day, after a handball that the referee missed, both Leiston strikers were able to unleash shots on goal after a good save and an equally good block the ball fell to David Head who was able to give his team the lead after passing the ball into the back of an unguarded net.
Less than a minute after the first goal was scored, Leiston had another chance, this time from the penalty spot. Another long ball from Danny Gay found Rhys henry, the winger was able to get past his marker before getting brought down by Worgan at the edge of the area. The referee gave a penalty and Gareth Heath was able to place the spot kick past the goalkeeper.
The hosts came straight back though and nearly scored when a corner from the right hand side was headed towards the goal from Watt, but Blake Saker was on the line to prevent the defender his second goal of the season.
Maidstone started the second half well, but the strikers were unable to have any clear chances after some bad final passes wasted possession for the stones, eventually they were able to find a way through the defence. Rory Hill’s weaving run split the defence, ignoring a team mate in a better position he took a shot which ended in frustration for the home fans, the ball flew over the goal and out of the ground for another wasted attack.
Maidstone continued to attack and they soon found themselves in a very good position- a free kick just outside the penalty area. Fabio Saraiva drilled the ball low into the area for it to take a deflection of a dazed defender and smash against the post.
It took 78 minutes, but Maidstone finally found a way past the goalkeeper, Saraiva’s corner was put into the six yard box, a large number of players attempted to win the header, but it was new signing Tom Phipp who was able to jump highest as his header flew past the Leiston goalkeeper to give his new team a chance of a comeback.
After the goal, Maidstone flooded the box with players at every opportunity, but it took a slice of luck to get a point. Charley Robertson cut inside from his position on the left wing before firing a shot towards the Leiston goal, the goalkeeper foolishly came off his line to claim the ball only to see it fly agonisingly over his outstretched arm and into the goal to keep the stones unbeaten home record intact.
Maidstone travel to Whitstable in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday before their biggest test of the season when they face Skrill South challengers Eastleigh in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round. They remain first in the table, but only on goal difference after they beat Margate 2-0.
Attendance: 1,557
Maidstone: Worgan, Rose (Flisher), Mills, Watt, Sobers (Andrews), Phipp, Hill, Saravia, Attwood, Collin, Robertson
Subs not used: Osifuwa, Sullivan, Mitten
Booked: Watt
Leiston: Gay, Saker, Redgrave, Jefford, Head, Tann (Boardly), Henry, Heath, Ottley- Gooch (Hammond), Parker, Flavin (Brothers)
Subs not used: Crisp, Francis
Booked: Redgrave