| Maidstone United’s interest in the Kent Senior Cup is over for another year after a Junior Baker goal on 118 minutes settled this open cup tie.
The Stones had to play extra time with nine men after Jimmy Strouts and James Peacock were both dismissed for two bookable offences but despite this they should have won the game comfortably as Alex Tiesse in particular, had numerous chances to put the game beyond Cray.
It was evident from the outset that this was not going to be a boring no scoring game as with
two minutes gone, Jimmy Strouts had a shot cleared off the line for The Stones before Dean Morris' long range effort only just cleared the left hand post. Both sides continued to create chances and on 11 minutes Tyrone Stirlings' drive whistled over the bar.
Then at the other end, a good Stones move on 14 minutes saw Strouts release Alex Tiesse who rounded Glen Knight and pulled the ball back into the middle for Helio Guerreiro who smashed the ball into the stand with the goal at his mercy.
Four minutes later, Pat Mullin made a superb one handed save to tip Junior Baker's shot onto the base of the post and with half time approaching, Tiesse had a good opportunity to score when he found himself with just Knight to beat but the Cray keeper raced out to the edge of the area and blocked the shot.
The second half saw far fewer opportunities created but on 76 minutes Cray took the lead when Stirling lashed in a fantastic half volley from the edge of the area.
Strouts then saw red when he was booked for the second time following a rash tackle on Dean Morris and with the game in stoppage time James Peacock was also dismissed for two bookable offences.
However, in between The Stones grabbed an equaliser when Julian Curnow handled substitute Jamie Maxton's shot on the line and was sent off before Tiesse converted the penalty.
Despite being a man down, Maidstone enjoyed the best of extra time and Tiesse should have added to his tally when he was one-on-one with Knight on 92 minutes but again his shot cannoned off Knight’s legs.
It was then Ray Freeman’s turn to miss a good opportunity two minutes later following a long run from Nathan Paul and on 99 minutes Paul set up Mario McNish whose shot was blocked and when the ball fell to Tiesse he put the ball over the bar.
Although Maidstone looked the stronger side, Cray’s Junior Baker had two fierce shots only just clear the post before Tiesse once again found himself in on goal on 110 minutes only to miss once more.
Having failed to take their chances, it was inevitable that The Stones would concede a late winner and so it proved as with just two minutes remaining, Baker did well to create himself space on the edge of the area before lashing the ball into the right hand side of the net.
PHOTOS FROM STEVE TERRELL
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