Joe Healy scored on his first start after injury as Maidstone drew with Bishop’s Stortford in their final league game of the National South season.

Healy earned a point with a second-half equaliser on Saturday and now it’s on to the play-offs for Jay Saunders’ men, who go to Truro on Wednesday night.

Jamie Coyle returned after two months out as one of five changes, Callum Davies making way.

There was a first start for 16-year-old academy forward Jack Richards, with Callum Driver, Healy and Jack Paxman all returning to the side.

Richards along with left-back Bobby-Joe Taylor were the bright sparks in a first half that saw Maidstone trail to an early penalty.

The teenager buzzed about playing behind Dumebi Dumaka, linking nicely with his team-mates and always looking to bring others into play, chiefly Taylor, who swung over two or three lovely crosses bombing on from full-back.

Maidstone were behind after 13 minutes, Manny Parry penalised for handball after Frankie Merrifield played the ball on to his arm from a yard away and Elliot Buchanan sending Lee Worgan the wrong way from the spot with a cool finish.

The game had a low-key feel about it for a spell after the goal, Maidstone struggling to get going and lucky not to go two down when Merrifield’s pull-back found unmarked Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson, who dragged his shot past the post.

United’s best move almost led to an equaliser, Paxman and Joe Healy combining to release Taylor, whose cross was glanced inches wide by Alex Flisher.

Callum Driver blocked from Fortnam-Tomlinson approaching the half-hour before Vas Karagiannis’ cross was volleyed just wide by Healy.

Healy’s shot was comfortably saved by Tom Lovelock from a Richards pass as Maidstone finished the half with plenty of possession.

Maidstone had a penalty appeal waved away just after the break, referee Anthony Da Costa ruling ball to hand from Coyle’s effort.

But they were level on 52 minutes, Healy hooking home smartly after Stortford failed to deal with Flisher’s long throw.

Flisher’s attempted lob dropped wide after running on to a long ball from Paxman as Maidstone took charge, Taylor and Richards continuing to impress.

Half-time change Jay May looked sharp, too, making a case for a start at Truro, the big man giving Stortford’s back four plenty to think about and going close after working an opening from Matt Bodkin’s pass.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Taylor, Coyle (Davies 73mins), Parry, Healy, Paxman, Flisher, Dumaka (May 46mins), Richards, Karagiannis (Bodkin 68mins). Subs not used: Banya, Sweeney.

Attendance: 2,549.