An own goal from Herne Bay defender Skye Salmon proved key as Maidstone edged out their lower-division hosts in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday. The young ex-Margate player inadvertently shot past his own keeper at the end of the first half, having been involved in a mix-up.

That goal was enough to get National League South Stones through to the final qualifying round, as they won 1-0, despite coming under real late pressure against the Isthmian South East team during a hard-fought tie.

George Elokobi’s troops had started well and created the first opportunity as Shaq Coulthrist headed wide a right-wing cross by Charlie Seaman in the fifth minute at Winch’s Field in front of a huge crowd of 1,997.

The Stones continued to dominate proceedings on a glorious afternoon but Bay put plenty of bodies on the line to keep them out.

Midway through the first period, player-coach Liam Friend came to the hosts’ rescue. He blocked to thwart Coulthrist after Stones skipper Sam Corne found space in Herne Bay’s penalty area, midfielder Scott Heard having missed a header in the right-back position.
Corne himself went close on 27 minutes when he beat home right-back Jack Parter to reach the end of a right-wing delivery by Jon Benton, only to flick narrowly wide of Harry Brooks’ right-hand post.

Maidstone twice went close, 10 minutes later, after a brief spell of Bay pressure. Temi Eweka, who was up from the back, nodded Brookes’ left-wing delivery against the post before Corne nodded straight at Brooks when he should have done better as Benton crossed from the other side.

But four minutes before half-time, Maidstone went ahead in incredibly fortunate fashion from their perspective.

Brooks was left in no man’s land as he came rushing out to clear - only to see defender Salmon head past him from a Benton ball forward to leave Brooks helpless, the ball tamely drifting into the empty net.

Herne Bay made a half-time substitution as Joel Odeniran came into defence, replacing Mo Kamara, while Frankie Smith pushed further forward.

The away side’s first switch saw Jordan Higgs limp off to be replaced by Aaron Blair before the hour mark. But Maidstone looked fairly comfortable, Benton’s long-range shot drifting wide as they aimed to establish a two-goal cushion.

Bay keeper Brooks then made a point-blank save to deny Eweka from a right-wing cross by Seaman with 63 minutes played while referee Steven Hughes dismissed penalty appeals for a challenge by Salmon on Corne.

The hosts’ best opportunity to date came with 21 minutes to play. Scott Heard delivered a high free-kick, which eventually found Artem Kuchkev, but his spectacular shot was straight at visiting keeper Alexis Andre Jr.

Next to go close for the Stones at the other end was Crawley loanee Antony Papadopoulos in the 78th minute but his shot was comfortably gathered by Brooks. Soon after, away defender Reiss Greenidge was cautioned for a late foul on Smith, although Herne Bay could not make the most of the advantage which was played.

Maidstone keeper Andre Jr had to be at his best in the last minute of normal time to tip wide Josh Reid’s shot after the substitute had skipped past his man.

There was nearly a dramatic twist, deep into stoppage time.

Brooks came up for two corners - the second of which was half-cleared to Smith - and the ball drifted wide after Andre Jr had done just enough to deny his counterpart, who had flung his head at the ball.

Even later, striker Mike Salako shot just wide for the home side, although the offside flag had already gone up.
The Stones will now await Monday’s fourth qualifying round draw as they aim to replicate last term’s record-breaking run.

Home boss Steve Lovell made four changes from the team which progressed in the Kent Senior Cup through a 5-1 victory over Erith Town on Tuesday.

Captain Friend and Salako, alongside midfielders Kane Haysman and Ethan Smith, returned for them.

There was also another start for young Ukrainian midfielder Kuchkov, with it being announced ahead of kick-off he has signed a new contract until the end of the season.
But striker Kane Rowland remained suspended for Herne Bay after his two-goal midweek display.

For the Stones, there were also four switches, which saw Corne, fellow midfielder Higgs, Jon Benton and Coulthrist replace Blair, Matt Bentley, Bivesh Gurung and Harry Lodovica.
When the teams last met in a competitive fixture at Winch’s Field - in February 2013 - Maidstone won 3-1. Second-half goals from Michael Phillips, Tim Olorunda and Alex Flisher gave them the points after Byron Walker’s penalty for Bay.

Herne Bay: Brooks, Parter, Salmon, Friend, F.Smith, Kamara (Odeniran 46mins), Heard, E.Smith, Haysman (Reid 78mins), Salako, Kuchkov (Saunders 84mins). Subs not used: Wilson, Carrington, Hill, Hillier.

Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Eweka, Brookes, Greenidge, Fowler, Papadopoulos (Bentley 82mins), Higgs (Blair 56mins), Corne, Coulthrist (Lodovica 72mins), Seaman, Benton (Trusty 82mins, Fonkeu 96mins)). Subs not used: Hendon, Gurung.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 1,997.