AT LAST NOW IT’S ONWARD AND UPWARD FOR MAGPIES

A 90TH-minute own-goal from Maidstone’s Will De Havilland handed Maidenhead United their first three points of the season at York Road.

The Magpies showed magnificent character to force their way back into the contest after Ryan Upward’s second minute header had been cancelled out by Blair Turgott’s brace.

Adrian Clifton rallied spirits when he rolled home a 77th-minute equaliser and Rene Steer’s lashed cross in the last minute of the 90 cannoned off De Havilland and rocketed past a stranded Lee Worgan into the roof of the net.

The Magpies, who came into the contest bottom of the National League table having failed to win any of their first five matches, got off to a perfect start when summer signing Max Worsfold hung up a cross for Upward to head home via the post in the second minute.

Maidstone grew into the contest and, just when it seemed the Magpies had made it to half-time with a precious lead, they switched off to Jack Paxman’s quick free-kick and Turgott drilled the ball under Carl Pentney for a 45th-minute equaliser.

Maidstone were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute when substitute Jamar Loza’s left-wing cut back struck the arm of Harold Odametey. Turgott gratefully scored his fifth of the season, sending Pentney the wrong way from the spot. Shamir Mullings headed home from a corner in the 73rd minute but referee Sam Purkiss spotted some pushing in the area and ruled the goal out much to the Magpies’ relief. And they made the most of that slice of luck when Clifton collected the ball on the left side of the penalty area, outstripped Michee Efete and swept the ball low beyond Worgan in the 77th minute. Better luck was to come for the Magpies in the 90th minute when Steer’s driven cross hit De Havilland and flew into the net. A delighted Alan Devonshire said: “It’s one of those where it could have gone either way. Their second was never a pen, I don’t know how he’s given it. But we showed a lot of character and we needed that to kick start our season. I’m really pleased for them. I’d like to think that will do them the power of good. We go again on Monday.” Stones boss Jay Saunders felt his side controlled the game for 70 minutes, adding: “We had more possession of the ball, but when you’ve got that you’ve got to make it count. “We’ve let in three sloppy goals so we don’t deserve to win it at the end of the day. Up until the last 15 minutes I felt quite comfortable in the game, even at 1-0 down. But it wasn’t to be and we move on.”