Maidstone had a man sent off for the second successive game as opponents Taunton rescued a late draw at the Gallagher.

With the Stones leading through Levi Amantchi’s strike, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft saw red for a high challenge on Ollie Chamberlain.

Taunton levelled through Nick Grimes from the resulting free-kick as United finished with 10 men for the second time in three days following Bivesh Gurung’s dismissal at Hemel on Saturday.

Liam Cole came in for Lamar Reynolds in the only change from the 1-1 draw at Hemel.

First-half chances were hard to come by but Maidstone bossed possession against a Peacocks side who must have been cursing the fixture computer for handing them such a long journey on a Bank Holiday Monday.

George Elokobi’s side popped the ball about nicely in the opposition half and sent in a steady supply of crosses from both flanks.

Chi Ezennolim in particular caught the eye bombing forward from left-back and getting balls into the box.

He’s so hard to stop once he gets on the move.

Taunton held firm until the 37th minute when Amantchi fired the hosts in front.

Coleman De-Graft and Sam Corne combined to feed the ball into Amantchi, who was too strong for Grimes, holding off his man and turning before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.

Taunton offered little at the other end, Lloyd James with a shot that Lucas Covolan had covered as it went past the past, while Dylan Morgan sent a free-kick into the wall.

Other than the goal, Maidstone went close when Gurung had a strike blocked after turning on Devonte Aransibia’s right-wing cross.

Taunton defender Austen Booth nearly turned the ball into his own net early in the second half, while Aransibia’s fierce strike in the box was blocked.

There was an opening at the other end after Maidstone broke down in midfield, allowing Morgan to carry the ball forward and get a shot in.

And Taunton really should have scored with 20 minutes when a ball across the face of goal reached Chamberlain but he stabbed wide.

Maidstone lost captain Gavin Hoyte to injury moments later, the skipper gingerly making his way round to the treatment room following his substitution.

The Stones were a man down for the second match running with six minutes left, with Saturday’s goalscorer Coleman De-Graft dismissed for catching Chamberlain with a high foot.

Taunton made Maidstone pay from the restart, the free-kick played pumped into the box and dropping to Grimes, who fired through Covolan’s legs for their 86th-minute equaliser.

Liam Sole forced a good save from Dan Lavercombe in the second minute of nine minutes’ added time, Ezennolim the provider after a decent run.

Maidstone: Covolan, Hoyte (Brown 73mins), Fowler, Bone, Ezennolim, Gurung, Corne (Kelly 52mins), Aransibia, Sole, Amantchi (Obi 67mins), Coleman De-Graft. Subs not used: Reynolds, Earle.

Taunton: Lavercombe, Grimes, Booth, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis (McCootie 73mins), Smith (Stearn 46mins), Evans, Day (Sims-Burgess 73mins), Dolman, Morgan. Subs not used: McCootie, Tabu Minzamba, Lucas.

Referee: George Warren.

Attendance: 2,014.