A late winner from substitute Sol Wanjau-Smith, two minutes before full time, was enough for Maidstone to edge past Salisbury.

The Stones had the first opportunity of the match. Sam Corne passed to Ben Brookes whose perfect delivery was just headed wide by Tom Leahy. One minute later, Owen Dore crossed for Sido Jombati whose header was off target.

The Stones were looking the stronger of the two sides and they took the lead on 18 minutes. A lovely cross from Corne went to George Fowler whose looping header flew into the right side of the net.

Not for the first time in the afternoon, Salisbury then got caught at the back. Bivesh Gurung nipped in to win the ball and Corne and Leahy were involved before the ball came to Charlie Seaman. His fierce drive was on target but Rhys Byrne made a good stop.

Stones were doing well in and around the box on 26 minutes. Seaman found Leahy who toe poked the ball onto the post.

But four minutes later, Salisbury levelled. Raphe Brown’s attempted pass out to Seaman was cut out. Karlos Gregory passed to Ronan Silva whose neat ball came to Lewis Brown whose effort from close to the edge of the box went past Alexis Andre Jr.

In first half stoppage time, Seaman put a low ball across the six yard box. It came to Brookes and from close range he failed to hit the target.

Early in the second half, a free-kick was knocked down by Raphe Brown. Blair reacted quickly only for Byrne to make a decent block. Then moments later, a short corner routine saw Corne pass to Brookes who crossed for Fowler and his header dropped inches wide with Blair stretching to try and get a vital touch at the left post.

Then on 53 minutes Maidstone conceded a free-kick. Jombati hooked the ball back into the area and it took a deflection as it fell to Ronan Silva who scored from close range.

The Stones made their first change, replacing Bivesh Gurung with Sol Wanjau-Smith. Wanjau-Smith’s first contribution was to win a penalty as he went down under a challenge from Josh Summerton. Brookes assumed responsibility for the spot kick and he lashed it into the net.

Maidstone had enjoyed the greater share of possession in the second half but Salisbury were still threatening from time to time. The Stones got caught on the break and the ball came to substitute Dan Fitchett who dragged his shot well wide.

Eight minutes from time, Reece Greenidge hit a long ball forwards. It came to Blair who elected for a lob and the ball landed on the roof of the net.

However, on 88 minutes, the ball came into Blair. He bought it down and it fell into the path of Wanjau-Smith whose shot took a deflection on the way into the net to give Maidstone the victory.

Maidstone United: George Fowler 18, Ben Brookes 57 (pen), Sol Wanjau-Smith 88

Salisbury: Lewis Brown 30, Ronan Silva 53

Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 4. Reece Greenidge (14. Tayt Trusty 85), 5.George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 3. Ben Brookes, 7. Jordan Higgs (12. Arj Krasniqi 85), 8. Sam Corne, 18. Bivesh Gurung (15. Sol Wanjau-Smith 55), 11. Charlie Seaman, 9. Aaron Blair, 19. Tom Leahy (20. Ruben Shakpoke 63). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.

Salisbury: 24. Rhys Byrne, 2. Finn Tonks, 20. Sido Jombati, 23. Owen Dore, 6. Josh Summerton, 4. Tom Legett (10. Craig Fasanmade 78), 3. Jordan Ragguette (27. Aidan Elliott-Wheeler 45), 15. Karlos Gregory (8. Callum Watts, 67), 11. Noah Coppin (9. Dan Fitchett 62), 16. Ronan Silva (7. Jaden Perez 74), 18.Lewis Brown. Subs not used: –