Stones suffer further home frustration
MAIDSTONE
There was more home frustration for Maidstone at the Gallagher last Saturday.
A workmanlike Gateshead stuck five at the back, largely snuffed out the Stones and punished mistakes in either half to finish deserved winners.
It meant a fourth consecutive defeat for Jay Saunders’ side and they remain without a home win since August.
Maidstone handed a debut to former Norwich forward Jamar Loza while Lee Worgan made his 150th consecutive league appearance.
Loza showed a couple of nice touches in the first half and sent a first-time strike wide after the ball sat up from Alex Flisher’s pass.
He also went close in the second half and had a strong penalty shout turned down but otherwise the hosts didn’t get him in the game enough.
The closest Maidstone came in the opening 45 minutes saw Kevin Lokko’s header from Anthony Acheampong’s flick pawed away by Dan Hanford, with James Rogers sending the rebound into the side-netting.
Yemi Odubade’s back-header went straight at Hanford while Rogers’ fierce hit was blocked by Lian Hogan from Flisher’s long throw.
Gateshead had the edge in attack, Danny Johnson hitting the post from a cross early on and then finishing tamely when through moments later.
Worgan then made a superb save from Sam Jones at a free-kick, throwing out a hand with virtually no time to react.
Gateshead were finishing the half well and pinched the lead in the final minute when Johnson poked home Manny Smith’s flick after Maidstone were caught napping.
The Heed also made a bright start to the second half, with Jones denied by Worgan and shooting over, while Johnson headed wide under pressure and lifted a cheeky lob over the top.
Worgan came to Stones’ rescue again midway through the half, sticking out a leg after Johnson met the dangerous George Smith’s pull-back.
But he could do nothing on 70 minutes, apart from blow his top, as Johnson added the second after Jack Paxman lost possession to Jones in his own half.
Loza came to life as Maidstone tried to fight back, firing a strike inches over and then seeing referee Craig Hicks wave away penalty appeals.
Unmarked Luke Hannet missed a simple late chance to add a third for the Heed, firing wide when picked out by Mitch Brundle. Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Acheampong, Lokko, Rogers (Taylor 53mins), Evans Paxman, Loza, Odubade (Enver-Marum 62mins), Flisher (Murphy 68mins). Subs not used: Sweeney, Greenhalgh. Attendance: 2,208.