DEBUTANT KYLE HELPS BAG A FERRI BIG VICTORY

KYLE Wootton capped his debut with a goal as North Ferriby continued their spirited climb out of relegation trouble with a vital win at fellow strugglers Maidstone United.

The19-year-old striker, on loan from Scunthorpe, took just 16 minutes to open his Villagers’ account before captain Stephen Brogan doubled the advantage from the penalty spot before the break.

Sub Jack Paxman pulled a goal back for the Stones on the hour but the visitors held on, much to the delight of manager Steve Housham.

“It was a massive win,” he said. “We were brave, the players put their bodies on the line and we have been lions all the time.

“We knew today would be difficult but we dug in and I am pleased that we have got back to back wins for the first time this season.”

Ferriby’s feat was even more impressive given the start Maidstone enjoyed without any such luck.

Yemi Odubade found the net no fewer than three times in the opening half, only to be denied by the offside flag on each occasion.

And the Stones were punished on 16 minutes when Reece Thompson beat Tom Mills down the right and he crossed for Wootton who headed the ball into the right hand side of the net.

Maidstone, however, went close to a quick equaliser. Vas Karagiannis pulled the ball back to Odubade, whose shot was blocked into the path of Jamar Loza, who saw his effort crash off the underside of the bar. Jamie Coyle then should have scored for the Stones but he somehow headed wide when just yards out, and then on 38 minutes the Villagers were awarded a penalty. Brogan’s free-kick from just outside the box was adjudged to have struck an arm in the wall and the captain stepped up himself to score from the spot. “I thought the penalty decision was harsh,” said Stones boss Jay Saunders afterwards. “We are in a relegation battle and have been for a couple of weeks – somehow we have got to find a way to turn things around.” The Stones, however, still had time to set up a grandstand finish – Paxman netting a fine individual goal, gaining possession close to the byline and dribbling towards goal before flicking it into the net from close range. This, unsurprisingly, gave the Stones a huge lift as they started to put North Ferriby under pressure in a tense finale. Karagiannis sent a deep free-kick towards the back post but Anthony Acheampong headed the ball into the side netting. And late on, the Stones squandered two glorious chances to draw level – the first seeing a cross-shot from Loza beaten away from goal by Rory Watson after a nice move, before Paxman stole in down the left, only to see his angled shot blocked by keeper Watson.