Salisbury fell to a late defeat in Kent, losing 3-2, after another spirited display on the road.
From the early stages, the hosts controlled the lion’s share of the ball.
Inside the first five minutes, Maidstone had a golden opportunity to open the scoring through a Tom Leahy header, but he couldn’t direct the ball on target from six yards out.
In the 18th, after a long spell of Stones’ attacking pressure, the home side took the lead. George Fowler nodded the ball past Rhys Byrne into the corner of the net after finding himself free in the middle of the box. Skipper Sam Corne delivered the cross from just outside the box after Jordan Ragguette’s attempted headed clearance fell short.
The Whites persisted in trying to play out from the back. In the 21st minute, Gregory got caught out on the edge of the box; Charlie Seamen could not punish Salisbury, as Byrne’s reactive work was enough.
Moments later, Leahy struck the outside of the post after being played through by Seamen.
In the 30th minute, the visitors got themselves level through Lewis Brown. The youngster calmly slotted home after Ronan Silva found him inside the box. The move came via some good play from Karlos Gregory, who turned neatly and picked out Silva.
The teams went into the interval level pegging.
After two Aaron Blair attempts on the Salisbury goal, it was the Whites that made an attack count. Ronan Silva steered home a loose ball after Sido Jombati’s deflected shot fell to the forward to put Salisbury ahead in the 53rd minute.
Immediately, the hosts responded to going behind. Ben Brookes converted from the spot after the Stones were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute. The challenge from which the penalty was awarded was from Josh Sommerton; it looked soft from an elevated view in the press area.
The Whites were not disheartened from having their lead chalked off. In the 77th minute, the ball was worked well to substitute Dan Fitchett. The striker’s attempt went narrowly wide of the far post.
In the dying moments of normal time, Sol Wanjau-Smith profited from a loose ball that found its way to the player’s feet in the box. The substitute saw his strike deflected in off a Salisbury body to put them in pole position for the points.
After five minutes of additional time, referee Dan England sounded the whistle to confirm the Whites’ loss.
Salisbury will play again tomorrow evening (Monday, 3rd March) away at Aveley in a big six-point match near the bottom of the table. Full commentary on Salisbury Radio Sport with Toby Pike and Ian Pearson on commentary duties.
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