Maidstone United 2 Sittingbourne 2

A GOAL three minutes from time by Sittingbourne substitute Jon Neal dented Maidstone United's hopes of taking the Ryman League Division 1 South title on Monday.

The Stones twice led against their landlords but twice squandered the advantage in a torrid local derby.

There was precious little football on display at Bourne Park but Maidstone took the lead in the 17th minute when Sittingbourne keeper Steve Williams flapped at an Aaron Lacey throw-in and the ball fell to Errison Ahwan who poked in from one yard out.

Sittingbourne equalised two minutes before half-time when a brilliant through ball by Lee Browning found Kieran Marsh and he scored with an angled finish.

The second half was poor but Bourne came close to taking the lead when Paul Ainsworth's header hit the bar.

Lynden Rowland was then inches away fromt putting Maidstone back in front and the Stones finally regained the lead with the best move of the game - a six-man passing move that ended with a classy finish by Mo Takaloo.

For the next 10 minutes the Stones dominated, but they squandered a host of chances and surrendered the initiative to Sittingbourne, who equalised in the 87th minute when Neal was given time and space on the edge of the box as he turned and scored with a low shot.

* Keep up to date with all the Stones news every week in the Kent Messenger.