Maidstone edged the London 1 South derby against Aylesford with a dramatic late victory on Saturday.

The game started quietly, with nerves from both teams who were looking for their first points of the season.

It only came to life in the last quarter when Aylesford managed a score and then Maidstone replied.

Following a scoreless first half, the game should have been won by the Bulls in the first 20 minutes after the break but unforced errors and poor decision-making by the back line meant they failed to convert any chances.

The Bulls opened the scoring on 70 minutes when Jed Friday, playing after a three-year lay-off, slotted the ball over from 25 yards out.

Maidstone’s pack was looking increasingly uncomfortable in the tight and Aylesford used this advantage to increase the pressure.

The win looked assured in the 83rd minute when the Bulls secured the ball from a line-out 15 yards out and marched over the Maidstone line only for the official to disallow the try and signal that the ball had been held up.

But, with four minutes of injury time played, Maidstone’s Neil Graves burst through the centre to touch down under the posts and make Mike Molloy’s conversion a formality.

Maidstone will be hoping to build on the win when they entertain Beckenham in London 1 South on Saturday, while Aylesford travel to Thanet Wanderers.