JAY’S STONES ROLL ON!
IN-FORM Maidstone United took another huge step towards avoiding the drop – while severely denting Barrow’s play-off hopes.
Jay Saunders’ men – many people’s favourites for an immediate return to National League South in February – stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches thanks to goals from Joe Pigott and Stuart Lewis and, with it, move four points clear of the drop zone.
“I knew it was going to be tough today,” said Stones boss Saunders. “Paul (Cox)’s got a good side and they are well drilled. We showed great character and, if anything, I am disappointed we haven’t scored more.”
And Cox, himself, had no complaints about the result, even after Paul Turnbull had given the Bluebirds a ninth minute lead.
“We were beaten by the better team,” Cox admitted. “We looked a little bit off the pace and from the last 15 minutes of the first half we didn’t look ourselves. You have to give credit to Maidstone as they are fighting for their lives.”
Turnbull’s strike came after a period of early Maidstone pressure. Barrow were awarded a free-kick 22 yards out and Turnbull curled the ball into the unguarded left hand side of the net.
The visitors then had an opportunity to extend their lead on 26 minutes. Maidstone’s defence stopped as they expected an offside flag and the ball
came into Jordan Williams but the Barrow player saw his low effort easily stopped by Lee Worgan.
Minutes later, the Bluebirds went even closer. Lindon Meikle turned into space and found Richie Bennett just inside the box but Worgan did well again to get down quickly and divert it behind for a corner.
Maidstone, however, soon discovered their rhythm as the first half progressed and chances soon came. Jamar Loza fired wide after dangerously cutting into the box, before a lovely one-two between Alex Flisher and Jack Paxman resulted in the latter hitting the post from close range.
The Stones were then given a let-off four minutes before the break when Turnbull once again floated a decent delivery into the box to centre-back Danny Livesey, who struck the post with a strong header.
“If you look at parts of the game that change the outcome of it, we were 1-0 up and Jordan shot early and then Danny’s header hit the post,” Cox commented.
“It is those kind of moments that change games.”
And so it proved as on the stroke of half-time, the Stones levelled. Paxman’s corner was half cleared, but when the ball came back in, Pigott timed his run to perfection, took a touch and sent the ball past Jon Flatt.
Maidstone didn’t let the break disrupt their rhythm and they grabbed what turned out to be the winner on 62 minutes.
A ball into the box caused difficulties for the Barrow defence and Pigott got a touch which allowed Lewis to arrive and finish from close range.
Thereafter, the Stones looked the more likely of the two sides to score again.
Loza saw a late effort cleared off the line and, from the rebound, Flatt made another fine save to deny Paxman at his near post.