Maidstone 0 AFC Hornchurch 2

MAIDSTONE United suffered a predictable 2-0 defeat at home to AFC Hornchurch in the Ryman League Premier Division on Wednesday night.

Blighted by a spate of injuries and county call-ups, the Stones were forced to field two partially fit central defenders and though Errison Ahwan and Mario McNish both played heroically, United’s resistance eventually buckled after 66 minutes.

Pat Mullin was deceived by an awkward bounce and though he recovered to tip the ball over for a corner, the resulting cross fell to Simon Parker, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later Aaron Lacy was harshly penalised for a foul in the area and Dean Green scored from the spot.

The outstanding McNish eventually hobbled off on 75 minutes and Maidstone never seriously threatened the Hornchurch goal in the remaining quarter of an hour.