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Ebbsfleet v Maidstone play-off final 10 key moments

Maidstone's National League South play-off final victory at Ebbsfleet had just about everything.

Here, we pick out 10 big moments from a dramatic afternoon at Stonebridge Road that saw Fleet seconds from a 2-1 extra-time victory, only to lose on penalties.

1. Flying start

Maidstone make a flying start to the play-off final, Fleet keeper Nathan Ashmore with a superb save from Jay May's header in the second minute.

Danny Kedwell celebrates with Sam Deering after his first-half spot-kick. Picture: Andy Payton
Danny Kedwell celebrates with Sam Deering after his first-half spot-kick. Picture: Andy Payton

2. Fleet in front

Fleet in front against the run of play with Danny Kedwell scoring from the spot on 19 minutes after Manny Parry penalised for handball.

3. Taylor's wonder goal

Maidstone level with a Bobby-Joe Taylor wonder goal in the 46th minute. The winger takes a Vas Karagiannis pass, exposes makeshift right-back Tom Bonner, skips past two more challenges and finds the far corner.

Bobby-Joe Taylor (10) put Maidstone level at 1-1. Picture: Gary Browne
Bobby-Joe Taylor (10) put Maidstone level at 1-1. Picture: Gary Browne

4. Formation change

Daryl McMahon switches to a back three after 71 minutes and moves top scorer Matt Godden from the left wing to partner Kedwell up front. Fleet look a different side and start to put pressure on Maidstone.

Matt Godden scores during the penalty shoot-out against Maidstone Picture: Gary Browne
Matt Godden scores during the penalty shoot-out against Maidstone Picture: Gary Browne

5. Great save

Stones keeper Lee Worgan makes a crucial 78th-minute save from Jordan Parkes after the Fleet midfielder shakes off Manny Parry and looks well placed to score.

Kenny Clark grapples with Dumebi Dumaka during last season's play-off final Picture: Gary Browne
Kenny Clark grapples with Dumebi Dumaka during last season's play-off final Picture: Gary Browne

6. Double change

The substitutions that turned the final Maidstone's way. Dumaka replaces Karagiannis after 81 minutes, with Sweeney on for May after 86. The pair would go on to have a big say.

Danny Kedwell wheels away after making it 2-1. Picture: Gary Browne
Danny Kedwell wheels away after making it 2-1. Picture: Gary Browne

7. Spot-on Danny

Fleet back in front with Kedwell's second penalty after 108 minutes, Parry harshy penalised for handball again. Kedwell hammers his spot-kick down the middle.

Stuart Lewis (4) can't believe it as Maidstone make it 2-2 in the play-off final Picture: Gary Browne
Stuart Lewis (4) can't believe it as Maidstone make it 2-2 in the play-off final Picture: Gary Browne

8. Last-gasp leveller

With Fleet seconds from victory, Stones substitute Dumaka takes the game to penalties with a last-gasp equaliser after the ball breaks box off Sweeney.

Nathan Ashmore saves Dumebi Dumaka's spot-kick in the shoot-out. Picture: Andy Payton
Nathan Ashmore saves Dumebi Dumaka's spot-kick in the shoot-out. Picture: Andy Payton

9. Hope for Fleet

Dumaka misses the chance to put Stones 4-2 up in the shoot-out when Ashmore saves his spot-kick. Fleet then level through Godden.

Danny Kedwell's penalty has just been saved by Lee Worgan Picture: Gary Browne
Danny Kedwell's penalty has just been saved by Lee Worgan Picture: Gary Browne

10. All over

Kedwell steps up for his third penalty of the afternoon with Fleet trailing 4-3. Worgan, after a chat with Maidstone substitute keeper Will Godmon, is convinced the Fleet captain will go down the middle. The hunch is right and Worgan makes the save to send Stones into the National League.

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