10-man City denied by last-gasp strike

Ten man City were denied a morale-boosting win this evening at Twerton Park by a stoppage-time equaliser in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Maidstone United.

The post-Jerry Gill era got off to a perfect start when, on 16 minutes, Jack Batten headed a Joe Raynes free-kick back across goal for Scott Wilson to steer the ball past Andre Jr. The visitors levelled within eight minutes when Alex Fisher was adjudged to have fouled Bentley near the touchline and Brookes netted from the penalty spot. Four minutes later City failed to clear a Gurung cross allowing Papadopoulos to fire a shot into the top corner. City responded positively and were back on level terms in the 36th minute. Andre Jr did well to initially block Fisher’s effort but the ball broke to Luke Russe to drive home from 20 yards.

The second half began with Fisher producing a great goalline to deny Eweka as the Stones pressed City back. However, it was the Romans who retook the lead on 63 minutes. A long ball forward caused panic between Eweka and Andre Jr, the former heading past the outrushing keeper, to give Jordan Alves a simple tap-in. With 16 minutes left Batten saw red for bringing down Cundle after his attempt to chest the ball back to Harvey Wiles-Richards fell short. The keeper did brilliantly to keep the resultant free-kick from Seaman out but Maidstone had been handed a lifeline. It wasn’t until midway through the six minutes additional time they finally made their man advantage count when Corne’s volley through a crowded area found the corner of the net.