Sean Shields scored a 98th-minute winner as Tonbridge stunned Maidstone at the Gallagher Stadium.

Shields, making just his second substitute appearance after recovering from a long-term knee injury, crashed home the decisive goal in front of the travelling fans.

Eddie Simon headed the visitors in front early in the second half and that looked set to be enough for Alan Dunne’s side.

Hamzad Kargbo, just back from a three-match suspension, came off the bench to head home his first Stones goal in the last minute of normal time.

But ex-Stones loanee Shields had the final say at the death, triggering wild celebrations, as Angels beat their local rivals in the league for the first time in more than a decade.

Maidstone, on a run of three straight wins, were unchanged from the side who won at Slough last weekend, while Tonbridge included new loan signing Alfie Pavey following his arrival from Bracknell.

The Gallagher is a ground Pavey knows well as a former Stones player while these days he’s a tutor and coach in the club’s academy.

As is often the case in derby games, the match was something of a slow-burner, a typically tight affair with both sides keen to avoid giving anything silly away.

There was an early blow for Maidstone when on-loan Bromley defender Taylor Foran went off after nine minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The Stones had conceded only once with Foran on the pitch since his arrival from Hayes Lane.

Antony Papadopoulos had the first effort for either side on the 15-minute mark, firing wide after Sam Corne weaved his way into the box before laying the ball off.

A neat move involving Leo Hamblin, Deon Moore and TJ Bramble ended with Jephte Tanga getting a shot in on goal, albeit a comfortable save for Jacob Adams.

A well-organised Tonbridge side created a couple of openings before half-time.

First, when Bunmi Babajide went on a good run and saw a deflected shot pushed past the post by Nathan Harness.

And, moments later, Babajide picked up a cross and found Simon who turned neatly in the box before hitting the stanchion on his left foot.

Maidstone’s best opening of the first half came a couple of minutes later when Moore climbed to meet John Gilbert’s cross but Adams was equal to his downward header.

United made a bright start to the second half, enjoying decent possession, but it was Tonbridge who struck first in the 53rd minute.

Simon was the scorer with a diving header at the near post after Babajide got down the left and crossed.

Substitute Broady Peart caused big problems with a run and deflected cross into the six-yard box before George Fowler cleared the danger as Tonbridge threatened again.

And after the resulting corner was recycled, Nazir Bakrin was inches away from connecting at the back post.

Maidstone were struggling to find a way past a resolute away side who put men behind the ball and challenged George Elokobi’s men to break them down.

Gilbert’s 20-yard drive was gathered by Adams at the second attempt, while the keeper also reacted quickly after spilling David Sesay’s cross before any harm was done.

Maidstone kept going and got their reward in the last minute of normal time when substitute Kargbo met Papadopoulos’ left-wing cross with a diving header.

The hosts pushed hard for a winner in seven added minutes.

But they were caught out at the end as Papadopoulos was dispossessed in midfield before Matty Warren fed Shields, who ran into the box and thumped home at the near post.

Maidstone: Harness, Sesay, Fowler, Foran (Beeden 9mins), Hamblin (Kargbo 64mins), Corne, Bramble, Gilbert, Papadopoulos, Moore (Golding 78mins), Tanga (Lucan 82mins). Subs not used: Holden, Court, Kurtaran.

Tonbridge: Adams, Smith (Williams 74mins), Bakrin, Penney, Omole, Akehurst, Warren, Wagstaff (German 79mins), Babajide (Peart 59mins), Simon (Unwin 59mins), Pavey (Shields 77mins). Subs not used: Foley, Allen.

Referee: Jonathan Chadwick.

Attendance: 2,670 (338 away).

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