Ten-man Maidstone took a point at Hemel Hempstead after Bivesh Gurung was sent off.

Razzaq Coleman De-Graft marked his first Stones start by scoring the opening goal at Vauxhall Road.

But Joe Re levelled for the hosts, who played the last 20 minutes with a man advantage after Gurung was dismissed for violent conduct – an alleged hand in the face.

Coleman De-Graft was one of two changes to the side who drew at Yeovil, with Levi Amantchi also named in the starting XI.

They replaced Liam Sole and Ogo Obi respectively.

The Stones started well, forcing three corners in the opening five minutes, and they looked strong in midfield with Devonte Aransibia pulling the strings.

Amantchi sent a header wide and Lamar Reynolds missed the target before Gurung went close from the edge of the box after a neat move involving Amantchi, Corne and De-Graft.

Hemel began to grow into the game, with some nice patterns in the Stones half.

They forced a good save from Lucas Covolan before the 20-minute mark, the big keeper getting down well after Kyle Ajayi rose to meet a right-wing corner.

Joe Iaciofano had a goal ruled out for offside, mistiming his run from Alfie Matthews’ defence-splitting pass, while George Fowler made an important block after Daniel Powell broke into the box.

The Hemel bench a felt goal was coming and they weren’t wrong - but it came at the other end as Maidstone took the lead.

It arrived three minutes before the break with Coleman De-Graft arriving at the far post to convert Aransibia’s cross.

Covolan touched over a fierce Josh Williams strike at the end of the half, with Corne doing well in his own box to clear the corner and ensure Maidstone led at the break.

Corne was back helping out defensively again early in the second half while Hemel soon made a change, introducing ex-Maidstone forward Reece Grant, who quickly tried to wind up Gavin Hoyte.

All just part of the game, that, with the former team-mates having enjoyed a cuddle before the warm-ups.

Maidstone went close to a second when Sam Bone’s header from a Gurung cross came back off the bar.

From threatening to double the lead, the visitors were pegged back as Hemel levelled in the 62nd minute.

What a strike it was, too, as Re arrowed a 25-yard cracker into the top corner following a short corner.

Maidstone will feel the goal was avoidable but there was no arguing with the quality of the shot.

Hemel were on top after the leveller and United’s cause wasn’t helped when Gurung was sent off with 20 minutes left following a coming together over the far side of the ground.

It might have been 10-a-side when Grant dived in on substitute Liam Sole with 12 minutes left - the Stones old boy claiming a slip after picking up a yellow card.

Hemel were pushing for the win although Maidstone were a threat on the counter, forcing a corner from which Connor Kelly had an effort blocked.

Amantchi went on to work keeper Craig King after holding off his man on the edge of the box, then the Stones striker had an effort cleared off the line by the home defence moving into six minutes of added time.

Hemel: King, McKenzie, Williams, Ajayi, Matthews (Gonzalez 85mins), Iaciofano, Re, Smith, Powell (Grant 47mins), Judd (Hill 90mins), Krasniqi. Subs not used: Hill, Sayoud, Corrigan, Grant.

Maidstone: Covolan, Hoyte, Fowler, Bone, Ezennolim, Gurung, Corne, Aransibia (Sole 71mins), Coleman De-Graft (Kelly 71mins), Amantchi, Reynolds. Subs not used: Brown, Earle, Obi, Sole, Kelly.

Referee: Matthew Jackson.

Attendance: 660.