Nothing to celebrate this time
GATESHEAD
empty net. McNall may have been offside but, as manager Jay Saunders pointed out, it was still just a straight ball and if United had tracked their runner, the goal wouldn’t have happened.
Gateshead were comfortably on top early on, Scott Barrow close from 25 yards and Fox not far away after Wes York got down the right and found Paddy McLaughlin, whose neat lay-off set up the chance.
Maidstone’s 19th-minute equaliser came from one of their first attacks, with Stuart Lewis brought down in the box by Neill Byrne and Reason smashing home the penalty.
The visitors then grew into the game, with Reason an increasing influence in midfield.
They missed a good chance to take the lead when Reason found Loza whose ball across goal was cleared straight to Reece Prestedge, who fired over from 10 yards.
Worgan made a flying save from McLaughlin at the other end before another good opportunity fell Maidstone’s way in added time.
This time Reason freed Delano Sam-Yorke after collecting Loza’s pass with the Stones striker just missing the target from the edge of the area.
United went close in the second half with Loza rolling the ball inches past the far post, then Alex Wynter’s header from a corner was tipped over.
It all kicked off in the 74th minute when Heed keeper headbutted Reason off the ball just inside the area and was sent off, with referee Glen Hart awarding a penalty.
Almost four minutes had passed by the time Reason stepped up but a poor kick was kept out.
Maidstone were punished for the miss when Fox bent a 20-yard free-kick into the top corner. Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Okuonghae, Wynter, Anderson, Prestedge (Muldoon 82mins), Lewis, Reason (ter Horst 90mins), Osei (Coker 70mins), Sam-Yorke, Loza. Subs not used: Hare, Paxman. Attendance: 771 (127 away).