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Maidstone United 2-3 Concord Rangers match report

Maidstone are out of the FA Trophy after blowing a two-goal lead against Concord.

Zihni Temelci and Matt McClure put them in charge but the Beachboys replied through Kit Elliott before half-time.

Zihni Temelci (No.18) is mobbed after opening the scoring Picture: Matthew Walker
Zihni Temelci (No.18) is mobbed after opening the scoring Picture: Matthew Walker

The first-round tie appeared to be petering out but substitutes Lamar Reynolds and Danny Green scored in the last 10 minutes to send Concord through as Maidstone once again failed to hold on to a lead.

United were comfortably the better side in the early stages at the Gallagher.

Justin Amaluzor’s spectacular volley was tipped over by Chris Haigh in a fast start and Ibby Akanbi - a threat all afternoon on his return from injury - forced a save from McClure’s cross.

Two goals in four minutes followed as Maidstone made their early dominance count.

The opener came on 14 minutes with Amaluzor playing the ball into Akanbi, whose lay-off was finished neatly by Temelci from the edge of the area.

Akanbi was involved again as Maidstone doubled their lead, chasing a ball down the right and drilling it across goal for McClure to run on to.

Concord started to get into the game with James Blanchfield putting a header into the side-netting and forcing a good save from Jake Cole, while Billy Roast’s thunderbolt hit the underside of the bar.

It was no great surprise when they pulled a goal back in the 34th minute after Maidstone failed to clear a corner.

Kreshnic Krasniqi’s low shot was parried by Cole - who probably saw it late - and Elliot tapped home the rebound.

Maidstone almost restored their two-goal lead in first-half injury time with McClure’s header hitting the top of the bar.

Matt McClure puts Maidstone two up Picture: Matthew Walker
Matt McClure puts Maidstone two up Picture: Matthew Walker

The Stones had a good opportunity at the start of the second half when Temelci blocked a clearance and squared to Amaluzor, whose shot went past the far post.

Seconds later, McClure and then Amaluzor - denied on the line - went for goal as the ball bounced around the six-yard box.

That brought Concord back to life with Gavin Hoyte blocking from Henry Woods and Cole equal to Blanchfield’s strike.

Wishart nodded wide from Hoyte’s cross followed by an even better chance when Wishart stood a ball up to the near post for McClure but the header looped over from a few yards out.

The hardworking Akanbi pushed a shot past the far post after making an opening for himself just outside the area moving into the last 20 minutes.

Concord had appeared to be running out of ideas but hauled themselves level eight minutes from time.

Joel Nouble cut infield and threaded a pass through to substitute Reynolds who slipped the ball past Cole.

Having a blown a two-goal lead it went from bad to worse for Maidstone on 85 minutes when Green’s free-kick from out wide missed everyone and found its way in.

Maidstone: Cole, Hoyte, Pennell, Elokobi, Chesmain, Marshall, Temelci, Amaluzor, McClure, Wishart, Akanbi. Subs not used: Kamdjo, Knight, Kyei, Edwards, Embery, Lewington, Allen.

Attendance: 881.

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