BRAINTREE T 0 MAIDSTONE U 0

IN a game as drab as the miserable weather swirling around the Amlin Stadium, Maidstone United registered their first clean sheet in the league in 25 attempts as they extended their mini unbeaten run to three matches away at Braintree Town.

The first half was punctuated with 22 fouls and there was little in the way of goalmouth action, but one of the rare moments came on 10 minutes.

Braintree’s Jack Midson spurned the game’s best chance and then had a late effort ruled out for offside as Maidstone held on, much to the delight of manager Jay Saunders. “A month ago we would have lost that game,” the Stones boss said. “But we showed good character to put in a battling performance, and I will take that.” Braintree showed first with Monty Patterson seeing an early shot booted away by Lee Worgan while, at the other end, centre-backs Jamie Coyle and Kevin Lokko both went close.

Midson blazed an excellent effort high and wide of the goal just before the break after a free-kick from former Stones player Reece Hall-Johnson was met by Ian Gayle.

Maidstone had more joy after the break with Tom Mills forcing a fine save from Sam Beasant with a 25-yard half volley and, from the resultant corner, Reece Prestedge picked out Alex Flisher, whose header dropped just over the bar. Delano Sam-Yorke’s attempted lob drifted agonisingly onto the roof of the net, but it was Braintree who went closest to stealing the points at the death. Worgan did well to get a hand to Hall-Johnson’s firm shot, the ball squirmed behind the keeper and as he tried to get back, Midson smashed the ball in from close range, only to be flagged off-side.