This was Maidstone’s first win in three games, after they had been beaten in their past two matches.

It was a very quiet first half although the Whites had two good chances to take the lead. On nine minutes, Josh Hedges’ free-kick into the box was headed goalwards by Ollie Bray and his header drew a fine save from Nathan Harness who flung himself to his right. Unfortunately for Bray, he suffered an injury shortly after this and had to be replaced by Matthew Briggs.

Maidstone created just one opportunity. With 24 minutes gone, Riley Court’s corner was met by Lexus Beeden who headed wide.

With the first half in stoppage time, Hedges surged into the box, evading any challenges. He unselfishly slipped the ball to Tommy Willard who dragged his shot wide when well placed.

Maidstone looked much stronger after the break and they put Salisbury under pressure in the early stages of the second half. On 51 minutes, Leo Hamblin got to the by-line and lifted a cross in for Dajon Golding who headed over the bar.

For the visitors, Tommy Willard saw the opportunity for an early shot as he gained possession not far from the edge of the box. His effort didn’t have that much power though and went straight at Harness.

Then Golding made progress forward and put in Antony Papadopoulos. The angle was tight and Papadopoulos’ shot was much like Willard’s allowing William Buse to comfortably gather the ball.

The home side finally broke the deadlock on 70 minutes with a fabulous goal. Riley Court’s deep header was knocked down by George Fowler and TJ Bramble showed fine technique to send an overhead kick into the net.

The Stones looked comfortable, despite their slender lead. With seven minutes remaining, substitute Hamzad Kargbo, who had replaced Deon Moore, drilled a shot from the left hand side which fizzed just wide of the far post.

Maidstone had to endure a slightly nervy end to the match as Salisbury pushed for an equaliser. And they might have got one, four minutes into stoppage time as Ollie Morgan’s rising shot from distance was on target, but Harness did well to tip it over the bar.

Maidstone United: TJ Bramble 70

Salisbury: –

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay, 5. George Fowler, 4. Lexus Beeden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 6. TJ Bramble, 17. Riley Court, 20. Antony Papadopoulos (19. Ruben Carvalho 85), 12. Dajon Golding (22. Teo Kurtaran 79), 7. Jephte Tanga, 9. Deon Moore (23. Hamzad Kargbo 67). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 21. Malachi Mbogba.

Salisbury: 1. William Buse, 24. Dominic Revan, 4. Camron Gbadebo 16. Tom Davies, 33. Ollie Morgan, 18. Josh Keeya, 15. Malachi Ogunleye, 10. Tommy Willard (7. Matthew Taylor 62), 14. Josh Hedges, 22. Nothing Coppin (19. Evander Grubb 82), 9. Ollie Bray (8. Matthew Briggs 16). Subs not used: 13. Lewis Gunstone-Gray, 5. Jordan Ngalo, 21. Theo Lewis, 30. Harry Lee.

Saturday in Enterprise National League South

AFC Totton 0-5 Dagenham & Redbridge
Bath City 1-1 Enfield Town
Chelmsford City 0-2 Torquay United
Chesham United 2-1 Dorking Wanderers
Dover Athletic 2-0 Slough Town
Eastbourne Borough 6-0 Hampton & Richmond
Farnborough 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
Horsham 1-1 Weston-super-Mare
Maidenhead United 3-0 Chippenham Town
Maidstone United 1-0 Salisbury
Tonbridge Angels 1-3 Hemel Hempstead
Worthing 5-0 Hornchurch