Jack Richards scored the winner on his first start of the season as Maidstone beat Oxford in the FA Trophy.

Richards struck in the first half of a largely forgettable game as United beat their National South opponents to reach round three.

It was very much a case of job done for the Stones, pocketing a handy £7,000 in prize money, with attention now turning to a crucial relegation scrap with Maidenhead on Tuesday night

In what was a fairly untidy first half, two moments of quality stood out for the Stones - both from the boot of Ollie Muldoon.

The first was a fine crossfield ball to find Richards who continued his run into the area and rolled the ball just wide of the far post.

Muldoon’s pass for the goal was perhaps even better, arrowing the ball into the path of Jack Paxman on the right.

Paxman picked out the late run of Richards and his neat low finish put United in front in the 36th minute.

Oxford strung together a couple of decent moves, including one early on when Eddie Jones, Craig Fasanmade and Ben Barrett combined to find the dangerous Kabongo Tshimanga, with Stones skipper Will De Havilland making an important block.

Rob Swaine put a header wide from a Muldoon free-kick but Oxford finished the first half on top, down to Maidstone’s sloppiness as much as anything else, keeper Ethan Ross and Aryan Tajbkahsh both snuffing out chances for Fasanmade.

Tajbakhsh put the ball in the stand after Paxman and Elliott Romain swapped passes and found him in space, then Richards tested keeper Craig King from the edge of the box as Maidstone made a bright start to the second half.

Tshimanga might have made more of a free-kick at the other end while Josh Ashby belted inches over after Michael Phillips snuffed out Bobson Bawling.

Another opening fell Oxford’s way after substitute Zac McEachran played a one-two with Tshimanga but he rolled the ball straight into Ross’ arms.

Paxman and Jack Powell worked their way into some decent areas, while Phillips got forward well from right-back but there was always that nagging doubt Oxford could grab something.

With just under 15 minutes left Maidstone introduced young forward Tommie Fagg, who’s been playing for Sittingbourne in Bostik South East this season.

It must have been a last-minute signing as he didn’t even have his own shirt.

Maidstone: Ross, Phillips, De Havilland, Swaine, Edobor, Muldoon, Tajbakahsh (Walton 88mins), Paxman, Powell, Richards (Fagg 76mins), Romain. Subs not used: Strizovic, Dale, Bates.

Attendance: 1,156 (31 away).