| Maidstone United found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline for the third week in a row as former Beckenham striker Paul Vines bagged a hat-trick for the Tooting and Mitcham United.
But this was by no means a poor performance from The Stones and their first half showing was arguably their best since the season began. But despite switching to a 4-4-2 formation, defensive errors were to prove to be Maidstone’s downfall once again.
The home side were dominant from the outset with Nick Hegley, restored to the starting eleven after a spell on the bench, heavily involved in most of Maidstone’s attacks. With just 3 minutes played, Errison Ahwan was fouled in midfield and Sam Tydeman lofted a quick free-kick over the Tooting defence to Hegley but unfortunately he mis-kicked when well placed.
Then with just 19 minutes gone Carl Gibbs was adjudged to have fouled Lee Shearer and he inexplicably kicked out at The Stones defender resulting in a red card. From the resultant free-kick Maidstone nearly took the lead when Simon Austin headed the ball onto the superb Alex Tiesse but his shot went across goal.
However, Tiesse, who had been a late replacement for the injured Lynden Rowland, was to have more luck with 36 minutes played. A neat Stones move saw Hegley slip the ball into Tiesse who finished from just inside the penalty area.
Hegley was involved again five minutes from half time when he really should have rounded off some excellent play from Nathan Paul by heading in but his effort cleared the right hand post and then Tiesse went close twice just before the break.
With 50 minutes played, Hegley had a great chance to put The Stones further in front when Simon Austin put him in on goal but he lashed his shot over. And just 3 minutes later, Hegley spurned an even better chance. Hegley had initiated the move by passing to Tiesse who wriggled clear of the Tooting defender in the box and pulled the ball back in the middle to Hegley but he snatched at the shot and sent the ball clear of the bar.
The turning point of the game however, came on 61 minutes when Craig Roser saw red for a challenge on the Tooting keeper Dave King and The Stones were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal when 6 minutes later Paul Vines headed in past Pat Mullin.
From being a goal behind, Tooting then found themselves in front just 60 seconds later following a scorching goal from Vines after he had knocked the ball beyond Shearer and lashed in a terrific shot from at least 30 yards past Mullin.
Maidstone refused to give in though and quickly drew level. Once again Tiesse was to prove instrumental as he twisted and turned into the box before unselfishly squaring the ball to Austin who brought the ball under control before guiding it into the net.
But unfortunately having conceded two goals, the Stones defence was now looking decidedly nervous and with only 9 minutes remaining the usually reliable Mario McNish gifted Tooting their third goal when his header backwards fell into the path of Vines who gratefully completed his hat-trick.
There was an exciting end to the game as both sides pushed forwards in search of another goal. Mullin made a great reaction save to deny substitute Jason Pinnock with 89 minutes gone and Maidstone substitute Jim Strouts saw his looping header clip the post. Then with the game deep in stoppage time Shearer was fouled close to the edge of the penalty area and Austin was very unfortunate to see his curling free-kick strike the angle of the post and bar before dropping to safety.
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