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Maidstone United 1 Truro City 0 match report (Stones win 3-0 on aggregate)

Maidstone are through to the National League South play-off final after seeing off Truro.

Alex Flisher scored the only goal at the Gallagher on Sunday - his second goal of the tie - as United clinched a 3-0 win on aggregate.

They will play Ebbsfleet away on Saturday after Daryl McMahon's side beat Whitehawk on penalties.

Maidstone forward Alex Flisher Picture Martin Apps
Maidstone forward Alex Flisher Picture Martin Apps

Truro looked good in the first half but were picked off after the break to leave Stones one game from the National League.

Maidstone made one change to the side who won 2-0 in the first leg on Wednesday night, Dumebi Dumaka replacing Jay May in attack.

Stones made a fast start, looking to put the tie to bed, Jamie Coyle sending a free header from Vas Karagiannis’ corner after five minutes.

But Truro grew into the tie in 25-degree heat at the Gallagher, offering more of a threat in the first half alone than the whole of the first leg.

Dan Green put a header over from Ryan Brett’s cross after a late run from midfield, Cody Coooke thumped over, then Lee Worgan got down sharply to keep out Aaron Dawson’s 30-yard drive.

Maidstone seemed happy to sit off and let Truro have the ball in their own half - sensible, given the heat - but with the visitors growing in confidence, further chances followed.

Karagiannis did well to take the ball off Connor Riley-Lowe’s toe at the far post and from the corner, Worgan somehow got a foot in the way after Cooke stabbed the ball goalwards.

Callum Driver put in a terrific block from Matthew Wright, and Wright went close again at the end of the half, heading just wide from Green’s cross.

Maidstone boss Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps
Maidstone boss Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps

In between, Maidstone had their moments with Dumaka heading over Bobby-Joe Taylor’s cross and then tricking his way to the byline before setting up Flisher, whose diving header missed the target.

Flisher beat keeper Martin Rice early in the second half but the angle was against him and the ball drifted across goal, while Cooke worked Worgan after cutting inside from the right.

Rice stuck out a hand to deny Karagiannis from Flisher’s throw, with Worgan holding Matty Jay’s deflected strike at the other end.

A golden chance for Maidstone went begging midway through the second half, May doing the hard work in controlling Tom Mills’ clearance but going for goal instead of feeding the unmarked Flisher.

With Truro opening up, Worgan held substitute Les Afful’s strike from the edge of the box but back came Stones with Flisher blasting over after May and Bobby-Joe Taylor led a counter-attack.

The same combination produced the opening goal on 73 minutes, May freeing Taylor who made ground before releasing Flisher for a lovely finish, clipping the ball past Rice.

The Gallagher was buzzing and they almost had another goal to celebrate, substitute Jack Paxman rolling the ball inches wide with his first touch.

Manny Parry lifted a late chance over the top when well placed to score.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Rogers, Karagiannis (Sweeney 74mins), Healy, Dumaka (May 62mins), Taylor (Paxman 78mins), Flisher. Subs not used: Davies, Godmon.

Attendance: 2,508.

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