Horsham 1 Maidstone 2

TWO goals by Mo Takaloo earned Maidstone United an unexpected Ryman League Premier Division on Saturday.

The Stones were under the cosh for much of the first half and, having done well to reach half-time on level terms, they fell behind after just 57 seconds of the second period to a low shot from Nigel Brake that found the bottom corner.

Yet United weathered a storm and the game turned just after the hour mark when Aaron Lacy's long throw was fired goalwards by Alex Tiesse. The Horsham keeper parried the ball but only as far as Takaloo, who steered in the rebound.

United looked increasingly confident on the counter-attack and took the lead with a quarter of an hour to play when another Lacy throw-in found Rob Owen at the near post. He flicked the ball back and Takaloo lashed in the winner.

The Stones still needed a superb save from Steve Northwood - who tipped Lee Farrell's shot onto the post - to preserve their advantage.