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Maidstone United slipped to their first league defeat in six games as a disappointing performance saw them defeated for the second time in five days.
The Stones never really got going in this game and at times looked weak at the back and it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the first half although for all of their shots and possession, they never truly tested Pat Mullin.
Hornchurch started brightly and after seeing two attempts on goal go wide inside the first two minutes, they next threatened with 12 minutes gone. Dean Green raced into the box and Mullin saved his drive with his feet and from the resultant corner, the ball came out to Des Boateng who hooked his effort into the hoardings behind the goal.
Green then had a low shot on 17 minutes held by Mullin before The Stones finally gave Dale Brightly something to do when Sam Tydeman lofted the ball into his arms.
Seven minutes from the break, Andy Martin tried to slip the ball into Mo Takaloo and as Brightley came to gather the ball, it appeared that he handled the ball outside of his box. Then sixty seconds later, Maidstone strung together a good move which saw Tydeman play in Takaloo but his strike was gathered by Brightley.
Some nervy defending from Maidstone immediately after the break nearly proved costly as the visitors had three opportunities to take the lead inside the opening five minutes. First, Green put Boateng in but he was denied by a last tackle from the obviously struggling McNish. From the subsequent corner, Mullin had to be alert to palm away a close range effort from Harry Elmes and then on 50 minutes, Boateng was once again given the ball inside the box but his tame shot went straight into Mullin’s hands.
With 65 minutes played, Boateng’s shot from distance took an awkward bounce in front of Mullin who managed to push the ball behind but the deadlock was broken just seconds later when Maidstone’s defence stood still and allowed substitute Simon Parker to lash the ball into the right hand corner of the net.
Then six minutes later, The Stones found themselves further behind when Aaron Lacy dived in to try and tackle Steve Wales inside the box but succeeded in upending the Hornchurch player and Green converted the penalty.
Ten minutes from time, Hornchurch had the opportunity to further add to their tally when Mullin came to the edge of the area to try and punch clear only for the ball to fall to Steve Wales but Errison Ahwan managed to prevent a third goal with a vital clearance from inside the six yard box.
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