The Stones made just one change to their starting line up after their narrow victory over Salisbury last weekend. John Gilbert returned to the team, with Dajon Golding dropping to the bench.

And it was Gilbert who came close to giving Maidstone the lead with just seven minutes played. Jephte Tanga curled in an inviting cross which was met by Gilbert and from point blank range, Charlie Binns pushed the ball over the bar.

It wasn’t long until Bath created their first opportunity. Dann Greenslade put a low ball towards the six yard box and Owen Windsor knocked the ball wide.

The Romans strung then strung together a nice move. This ended with Brad Ash shooting from just outside the area and Nathan Harness expertly got down to his left and made a finger tipped save.

On 22 minutes, a huge Harness kick went deep into the Bath half. It was flicked on by Deon Moore and Tanga saw his header clip the outside of the left post.

Not long after this, Leo Hamblin played the ball forward. Moore brought it down neatly before turning and shooting, but his effort went just wide.

The final notable chance of the half came four minutes before the break. Gilbert’s drive rebounded back off him and looped behind for a goal kick.

Early in the second half, Maidstone attacked with pace. Papadopoulos played a low ball into the six yard box and Moore was fouled by Binns. Binns was sent off for the offence and with 57 minutes played, Papadopoulos sent substitute goal keeper, who had replaced Mitch Beardmore, the wrong way from the spot.

The Stones came close to adding a second goal with 74 minutes gone. Papadopoulos once again played a decent low delivery in the box and Tanga’s shot was well saved by substitute goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards. Maidstone kept pressing and the ball came across to Gilbert who was well placed but he skewed the ball across the face of goal and it went wide.

Not long after this, Bath got hit on the break. A long ball forward put Moore clear and he rounded Wiles-Richards but from a very tight angle, he hit the outside of the left post.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Maidstone made sure of the victory. Papadopoulos played a delightful ball forward for Riley Court to chase and with Wiles-Richard not electing to rush from his goal this time, Court dispatched a fine finish into the left side of the net.

Maidstone United: Antony Papadopoulos 57, Riley Court 90+5

Bath City: –

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay, 5. George Fowler, 4. Lexus Beeden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 6. TJ Bramble, 17. Riley Court (8. Sam Corne 90), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (19. Ruben Carvalho 90), 10, John Gilbert, 7. Jephte Tanga (12. Dajon Golding 79), 9. Deon Moore (23. Hamzad Kargbo 79). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 21. Malachi Mbogba.

Bath City: 24. Charlie Binns, 4. Oliver Tomlinson (26. Manny Yeboah 84), 6. Kieran Parselle, 5. Jack Batten (27. Jaiden Putman 68), 3. Dann Greenslade, 19. Luke Russe (7. Jordan Alves 78), 22. Matt Bowman, 16. Jordan Tillson (25. Zion Thompson 90), 17. Mitch Beardmore (1. Harvey Wiles-Richards 56), 23. Owen Windsor, 11. Brad Ash. Subs not used: 21. Owen Pritchard.

Saturday in Enterprise National League South

Chesham United 0-1 Dover Athletic
Chippenham Town 1-3 Horsham
Dorking Wanderers 4-2 Eastbourne Borough
Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Worthing
Enfield Town P-P Hampton & Richmond
Farnborough 4-2 AFC Totton
Maidenhead United 2-0 Hornchurch
Maidstone United 2-0 Bath City
Salisbury 1-0 Hemel Hempstead
Torquay United 1-2 Tonbridge Angels