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Maidstone United 1 Sutton United 0 match report

Stuart Lewis scored the winner on his return from suspension as Maidstone beat title-chasing Sutton.

The skipper popped up with the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time as United made it back-to-back wins at the Gallagher Stadium.

It was a deserved victory as Jay Saunders’ side further eased any National League relegation worries.

Stones boss Jay Saunders watches on from the sidelines Picture: Gary Browne
Stones boss Jay Saunders watches on from the sidelines Picture: Gary Browne

Maidstone, showing three changes to the side who beat Torquay last weekend, were the better team in the first half.

Lewis, prominent on his return, made United tick in a lively start as snow fell at the Gallagher.

There was a nice tempo about the game - it was too cold to stand about - although not necessarily reflected in terms of chances.

The first opening fell to an off-colour Sutton with Alex Wynter throwing himself in the way of a Byron Harrison shot after a free-kick from the right dropped.

The Stones, playing some nice football, were denied what would have been a lovely opening goal in the 13th minute.

The move started from the back with Lee Worgan releasing Joe Anderson, who took a lovely return touch from Jai Reason before feeding Blair Turgott in the centre.

Turgott then moved the ball right to Josh Hare whose crossed was headed home by Jamar Loza.

Celebrations were cut short when referee Chris Pollard disallowed the goal although no one seemed to know why.

Kenny Davies’ header hit his own man, Harrison, as Sutton threatened again but it was mainly the home side on top.

Lewis’ interception sent Delano Sam-Yorke through one-on-one but a heavy touch gave Terrell Thomas time to recover, then Lewis burst into the box to meet Loza’s cross but his effort was blocked.

Sam-Yorke tried his luck in first-half injury time, just missing the far corner from the edge of the box.

A big chance fell Sutton’s way early in the second half when Craig Eastmond, having combined with Harrison, got himself in the box to meet Tommy Wright’s cross but flashed his shot wide.

Another good Stones move, involving Anderson, Loza, Sam-Yorke and Hare, ended with Turgott’s goalbound shot blocked by Simon Walton.

Soon after, a lovely cross from Anderson was headed over by Will De Havilland at the far post.

Louis John belted harmlessly over for the U’s before Turgott played in Sam-Yorke, with keeper Jamie Butler sticking out a hand to make the save.

Sam-Yorke had a big penalty claim turned down - his second of the afternoon - before United’s 75th-minute opener.

Lewis made a storming break from midfield and while his pass was cut out, Turgott returned the ball to the Stones skipper who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Maidstone could have made it two in the last five minutes when Turgott sent Reason clear but Butler was sharply out his area to snuff out the chance.

There was an even better opportunity when Reason squared for Tom Wraight but the substitute fired over.

John blazed over a chance in added time for Sutton.

Maidstone: Worgan, Hare, De Havilland, Wynter, Finney, Anderson, Lewis, Reason, Turgott (Prestedge 87mins), Loza (Wraight 81mins). Sam-Yorke. Subs not used: Paxman, Richards, Phillips.

Attendance: 2,065 (210 away).

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