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Maidstone United 0 Stockport County 3 match report

Maidstone’s FA Trophy bid is over after losing their quarter-final replay against Stockport.

National North County were by far the better side and set up a semi-final against AFC Fylde with Ryan Kirby’s second-half double and an injury-time header from Jordan Keane.

The consolation for United was the return of captain Blair Turgott after three months out with a knee injury.

Scroll down to hear from head coach Hakan Hayrettin.

Jack Paxman in the thick of it for Maidstone Picture: Andy Jones
Jack Paxman in the thick of it for Maidstone Picture: Andy Jones

A County side showing five changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw comfortably had the best of a goalless first half.

While the Stones didn’t manage a shot on target - Jack Paxman screwing an effort wide from Dan Wishart’s lay-off - the visitors worked Chris Lewington several times.

United’s goalkeeper coach was alert to push Scott Duxbury’s shot on to the bar and out for a corner midway through the half.

He was equal to Adam Thomas’ strike after Jarvis Edobor cut out a cross and another decent stop followed, with Lewington adjusting his position to keep out Ash Palmer’s header from a corner.

Shortly before the break, he had to deal with an awkward Sam Walker free-kick which looked to be going in at the far post.

Dan Wishart gets at the Stockport defence Picture: Andy Jones
Dan Wishart gets at the Stockport defence Picture: Andy Jones

Frank Mulhern had a decent chance right on half-time, shanking wide from Thomas’ pull-back.

Turgott made his long-awaited comeback at the start of the second half, to a huge reception from the home crowd.

He triggered a decent little spell after winning a corner, whipping up the home crowd in the process.

But Stockport broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with substitute Nyal Bell losing Edobor and running on to Paul Turnbull’s ball over the top.

Lewington raced out of his goal but could do little as Bell skipped past him and squared for Kirby, who couldn’t miss.

Michael Phillips makes progress down the right Picture: Andy Jones
Michael Phillips makes progress down the right Picture: Andy Jones

Maidstone finally worked Ben Hinchliffe a minute later, the County keeper getting down well to Michael Phillips’ 20-yard drive, but Stockport went close to a second when Walker’s 30-yard strike hit the bar.

County continued to look the more likely scorers and made sure of victory when Kirby turned home his second from close range in the 84th minute.

Number three followed in added time with Keane gifted a free header from Walker's corner.

Maidstone: Lewington, S Donnellan, Davies, Edobor (Meredith 67mins), Walton (L Donnellan 75mins), Phillips, Muldoon (Turgott 46mins), Paxman, Wishart, Powell, Cassidy. Subs not used: Henry, Tingley. Attendance: 1,140 (88 away).

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