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Maidstone United 2 Wrexham 2 match report

Substitute Liam Enver-Marum scored six minutes into his Maidstone debut to rescue a National League point against Wrexham.

The former Ebbsfleet and Basingstoke striker was named on the bench along with fellow new boy, ex-West Ham youngster Nathan Mavila.

Stones turned to the pair after going 2-1 down in the second half and it was Enver-Marum who delivered the equaliser.

Ben Greenhalgh celebrates his goal against Wrexham Picture: John Westhrop
Ben Greenhalgh celebrates his goal against Wrexham Picture: John Westhrop

Defeat would have been harsh on a Maidstone side who dominated the first half, leading through a Ben Greenhalgh free-kick.

Callum Powell levelled against the run of play before the break and then gave the Dragons the lead in an improved second half from the visitors.

United, meeting Wrexham two years on from their FA Cup second-round clash at the Racecourse, bossed possession in a bright start as Tom Mills made his 300th appearance.

Much of their best work started in the middle of the park with Dan Sweeney and Jack Paxman, the pair dictating the tempo and making Jay Saunders’ side tick.

Bobby-Joe Taylor was denied from the edge of the box by Shwan Jalal after turning on a Paxman pass, but United’s control of the game wasn’t reflected in terms of chances.

They did, though, take the lead on 21 minutes through Greenhalgh’s second goal of the season.

Alex Flisher was brought down just outside the box by John Rooney - brother of Wayne - with Greenhalgh bending a 20-yard strike into the corner.

Jamie Coyle (centre) continues at centre-half while Jack Evans (right) is suspended Picture: John Westhrop
Jamie Coyle (centre) continues at centre-half while Jack Evans (right) is suspended Picture: John Westhrop

Wrexham boss Gary Mills had criticised 3G pitches in the build-up - he doesn’t think they should be allowed in the National League - but they couldn’t blame the surface. They were simply being outplayed.

It took them more than half an hour to fathom a chance, with Hamza Bencherif losing his man at Rooney’s corner but volleying wide at the near post when he probably should have scored.

Having shown little ambition they were level on 38 minutes, Jack Evans gifting the ball to Powell, who was allowed to run along the edge of the 18-yard box before finding the bottom corner with a neat finish.

United were unfortunate not to be back in front before half-time, Kevin Lokko with a header blocked on the line after Jamie Coyle met a Greenhalgh corner, then Taylor was denied by the legs of Jalal after racing through from a Lokko pass.

United went close again early in the second half, Flisher’s diving header from a Greenhalgh cross going inches wide following a nice move involving Paxman, Sweeney and Tom Murphy.

Alex Flisher in action for Maidstone against Wrexham Picture: John Westhrop
Alex Flisher in action for Maidstone against Wrexham Picture: John Westhrop

Wrexham improved on their first-half performance, seeing more of the ball in the Maidstone half, and there was a scare for the hosts when Rooney hit the bar direct from a corner just past the hour.

The visitors then took the lead on 68 minutes, the ball breaking to Powell after Rooney miskicked a Paul Rutherford cross.

Stones responded by throwing on Mavila for Murphy, followed by Enver-Marum in place of Greenhalgh.

Enver-Marum had only been on the pitch six minutes when he pounced on a mistake by defender Curtis Tilt and clipped the ball past Jalal for United’s equaliser after 77 minutes.

United pressed for the winner, Mills clearing the bar after Mavila got his head to a Reece Hall-Johnson cross, Paxman shooting wide and Enver-Marum heading into Jalal's arms.

Maidstone: Worgan, Evans (Hall-Johnson 79mins), Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Sweeney, Murphy (Mavila 67mins), Paxman, Flisher, Greenhalgh (Enver-Marum 71mins), Taylor. Subs not used: Rogers, Richards.

Wrexham: Jalal, Bencherif, Tilt, Barry (Nortey 46mins), Rooney, Newton, Edwards, Carrington, Rutherford, Powell, Harrad (Bakare 58mins). Subs not used: Riley, McDonagh, Harvey.

Attendance: 2,550 (176 from Wrexham).

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