Maidstone 3 East Thurrock 1

A FIVE-MINUTE blitz saw Maidstone turn a probable defeat into a thrilling victory at home to East Thurrock in the Ryman League Premier Division on Boxing Day.

Trailing to a fourth-minute goal by Steve West, the Stones took well over an hour to find their rhythm, but the introduction of Aaron Lacy on 69 minutes proved crucial.

United twice hit the woodwork before finally drawing level with 12 minutes to go, when Mo Takaloo's shot was cleared off the line by Brad Stevens for a corner.

Lacy's inswinging cross was flicked on by Alex Tiesse and Takaloo volleyed in the equaliser.

Three minutes later Ray Freeman was brought down on the edge of the box and Takaloo brilliantly chipped the wall from the resulting free-kick to put the Stones in front.

East Thurrock's faltering resistance was finally ended in the 83rd minute when Lee Shearer ghosted in at the far post to head home a Lacy free-kick.