Super-Jay’s away point
FOREST GREEN
Jay Saunders joined the ranks of superheroes by getting his own mask.
Saunders can’t be far off Superman in Maidstone fans’ eyes after his efforts over the past six years, crowned by National League survival.
A good number paid tribute by donning masks of the Stones manager in the final away game at Forest Green last Saturday.
Two- hundred- and- eighty supporters made the trip to Gloucestershire to see Stones fight back from 2- 0 down, Harry Phipps scoring on his full debut and Joe Pigott earning a point.
Saunders said: “I thought the fans were outstanding and they have been all season, even when we were struggling.
“I know it’s not cheap to do in this league but, again, you’d think they were the home support. Every ground I go to, every manager says to me how great they are. “Some of them were extremely good looking with their masks on!”
A point looked unlikely as Forest Green flew at Maidstone, dominating possession and creating chance after chance.
Wayward finishing – Christian Doidge set the tone by missing a simple header inside a minute – and a number of fine saves by Lee Worgan prevented Rovers building up a big lead.
Ex-Stones player Kaiyne Woolery, on loan at Rovers from Wigan, was also guilty of a couple of big misses but what a player he is, all power and pace down the right.
Maidstone had barely touched the ball when they fell behind in the 10th minute, Woolery and Liam Noble combining to tee up Keanu Marsh-Brown for a smart finish from the edge of the area.
Forest Green, with play-off shirts on the line, doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half.
There was a touch of fortune in the build-up as Monty Menthe’s pass somehow found its way through to Dale Bennett, whose cross was turned in by Lokko for an own goal.
Maidstone were back in the game in the 61st minute, Phipps finishing the loose ball after keeper Sam Russell parried a cross from Seth Twumasi.
Rovers remained a threat, Lokko throwing himself in the way of Woolery’s strike and Noble hitting the bar from the rebound.
But Maidstone were level on 81 minutes, Reece Prestedge starting the move as United broke from their own half.
The ball reached Taylor who cut inside and saw his shot fumbled by Russell, with Pigott tucking away the loose ball.
Taylor was denied by Russell after Yemi Odubade squared, with Maidstone now going for an unlikely winner.
Rovers almost made it 3-2 in injury time but Twumasi made a magnificent block from Woolery. Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Okuonghae, Lokko, Phipps (Acheampong 90mins), Paxman (Richards 71mins), Prestedge, Odubade, Pigott, Flisher (Taylor 62mins). Subs not used: Coyle, Loza. Attendance: 2,030 (280 Stones fans).