Penalty woes continue
GATESHEAD
Jamar Loza became the fourth Maidstone player to miss from the spot this season as Jay Saunders’ side went out of the FA Trophy.
He followed Joe Pigott, Zavon Hines and Jai Reason in missing from 12 yards as United’s Wembley hopes ended in the North East.
Tuesday night’s thirdround replay was goalless when United were awarded a 10th-minute penalty.
Loza, on duty after Reason missed at the International Stadium in the National League last week, stepped up but a poor penalty was easily saved by James Montgomery.
Gateshead took advantage by opening the scoring through Neill Byrne following a free-kick four minutes later.
They made sure of victory with goals from Paddy McLaughlin and Richard Peniket on 72 and 85 minutes respectively.
Maidstone were on top for much of the first half but again couldn’t make their chances count.
Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “It sounds silly to say it wasn’t a 3- 0 game but I didn’t think it was.
“I’m going to sound like a scratched record but in both boxes, not good enough.
“First half we obviously get the penalty chance, Jamar doesn’t take it.
“Two minutes later, they go up the other end, Delano Sam-Yorke gives a cheap free-kick away, they put the ball in the box, he’s not tracked his runner and it’s an easy goal for them at the back post.
“I don’t think they’ve had a shot for the rest of the first half, we’ve had chance after chance and not taken them.
“Even second half we’ve come out and they’re not causing us any problems. Then two straight balls over the top and we get undone and all of a sudden it’s 3- 0.
“It makes it look a really bad performance when in truth I thought for large parts of it we were the better side.
“The facts are we’re not good enough in both boxes and we desperately need to get someone who can score a goal because when you’re having that spell like we were first half you’ve got to take your chances to relieve the pressure a little bit or to relax everyone.” Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Anderson, Hare, Okuonghae, Wynter, Lewis, Reason, Coker (Osei 77mins), Sam-Yorke (ter Horst 72mins), Loza (Paxman 58mins). Subs not used: Paxman, Muldoon, Osei, Capel, ter Horst. Attendance: 338 (21 away).