Heybridge Swifts 2 Maidstone United 1

MAIDSTONE’S failure to find adequate cover for goalkeeper Pat Mullin finally returned to haunt them on Tuesday night when they lost 2-1 at Heybridge Swifts in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Mullin pulled up with an injury during the warm-up and with no substitute keeper on the books, unfit central defender Lee Shearer was forced to go in goal.

United’s frustration was compounded by the way their 10 outfield players performed.

They outplayed the home side for an hour and took the lead in the 22nd minute when Lynden Rowland converted a penalty after a foul on Nick Hegley.

It took 40 minutes for Heybridge to rumble Shearer, but when they finally tested him, Robbie King’s long-range shot crept under his body.

United continued to create chances in the second half and they shielded Shearer until the 76th-minute when King again tried his luck from 20 yards.

His weak shot bobbled under the stand-in keeper, condemning the Stones to an entirely avoidable defeat.

Full Maidstone United match report and preview in Friday's Kent Messenger