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The Stones managed to avoid defeat on their travels for the first time this season as substitute Mo Takaloo scored Maidstone's third away goal of the campaign to earn the visitors a Wednesday night replay against Bury Town.
Despite a bright start from Maidstone, it was Bury who could have taken an early lead when Darren Coe got in behind Lee Shearer but he hooked his shot over the bar.
The Stones were enjoying a lot of possession and down the left hand side Craig Roser and Nick Hegley combining well but Maidstone were failing to create any clear cut chances. The closest United came to scoring in the first half was on 34 minutes when Roser laid the ball to Sam Tydeman who clipped a cross into the air and Andy Martin flicked his header over the bar.
Then just four minutes after this attempt, Maidstone gifted Bury the opening goal. A long ball out of the home defence should have been comfortably dealt with by Lee Shearer but he headed the ball inside to Lee Smith. Smith surged forwards before picking out Lee Read inside the area and he drove the ball past Pat Mullin.
Smith was allowed to roam forwards again one minute after the break only for his shot to just clear the far post then at the other end, Luis Cumbers was presented with an opportunity but he planted the ball against the top of the stand behind the goal.
On 53 minutes, a good move from The Stones saw Cumbers lift an excellent ball over the Bury defence to Martin who cut back inside before firing a shot goalwards which was blocked by Dean Greygoose.
With Maidstone pushing forwards, Bury looked threatening when they managed to break out of defence and both Gavin Johnson and James Tatham went close with shots from the edge of the area.
Then with 74 minutes gone, The Stones should have equalised. Nathan Paul burst forwards before releasing Cumbers who was unmarked but the normally reliable forward scuffed his effort wide.
Fortunately for United though, an equaliser was forthcoming via the route that has brought them so much success over recent years. Substitute Aaron Lacy hurled a long thrown into the area which was flicked on by Errison Ahwan and Takaloo was on hand to swivel and smash in a trademark goal.
With three minutes remaining, there was a scare for The Stones as Reed's long shot was pushed wide before the game ended in a disappointing manner when Shearer was sent off in stoppage time following a challenge on Sam Reed.
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