A stunning strike from Sam Corne, three minutes from full time, gave Maidstone United their second consecutive victory as they kept up their push for a play-off spot in the National League South.
After victory over league leaders Yeovil Town, George Elokobi named the same starting 11 as on Saturday. Meanwhile, Torquay arrived at the Gallagher Stadium on the back of a heavy defeat against St Albans City and Gary Johnson responded by making six changes.
The Stones got off to a great start. With just four minutes gone, Mo Faal did well close to the edge of the box and he found Matt Rush who guided a calm finish past the stranded Mark Halstead.
However, Torquay levelled with their first opportunity of the evening. Lamar Reynold’s backwards header fell to Asa Hall was in a lot of space inside the area and he had the simple task of firing past Lucas Covolan.
Having equalised, the Gulls instantly grew in confidence but it was the Stones who enjoyed the best of the chances in the remainder of the first half. Matt Rush found himself in on goal but went for a tricky lob which Halstead claimed close to his line. Then from a free-kick, after Reynolds was fouled on the left, Torquay cleared the ball as far as Sam Bone who drove it back into the box and Faal couldn’t divert his header on target.
With the half time whistle imminent, Bone played a good ball into Liam Sole. Sole’s effort was heading in but he was denied by a point blank save from Halstead.
Torquay should have taken the lead just three minutes after the break. Arkell Jude-Boyd, who has joined the Gulls on loan from QPR, sent an enticing cross to the back post where it was met by Dan Martin who put the ball wide.
The visitors were made to regret this as just a minute later, the Sones went in front. Faal made good progress down the right side of the box and with an obvious pull back to Rush appearing to be on the cards, Faal squeezed the ball past Halstead at the near post.
Soon after this, Reynolds accidentally gave the ball away to Jude-Boyd. With the Stones trying to get back, Jude-Boyd entered the area but he was denied by a decent save from Lucas Covolan. And with an hour gone, substitute Ethan Archer saw his shot hit the left post before it rebounded into Covolan’s hands.
For the Stones, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong manoeuvred himself into space inside the area. But his resultant shot went inches wide of the right post.
Then with 11 minutes remaining, Berkeley-Agyepong conceded a free-kick out on the left. Not for the first time this season, a decent ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Stones defence and former Maidstone player Ross Marshall headed in the equaliser.
Covolan then had to be alert to parry Hall’s free-kick before a moment of magic gave Maidstone the victory. Substitute Jephte Tenge won the ball and found substitute Bivesh Gurung who passed to Sam Corne. Corne took a couple of touches and then from 25 yards, unleashed a fabulous finish past Halstead.
Maidstone United: Matt Rush 4, Mo Faal 48, Sam Corne 87
Torquay United: Asa Hall 17, Ross Marshall 79
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan,4. Reece Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 16. Liam Sole (17. Jephte Tanga 66), 7. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong (18. Bivesh Gurung 80), 8. Sam Corne, 15. Sam Bone, 10. Lamar Reynolds, 11. Mo Faal (9. Manny Duku 75), 20. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 3.Chi Ezzenolim.
Torquay United: 1. Mark Halstead, 2. Arkell Jude-Boyd, 3. Dan Martin, 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Austen Booth, 6. Ross Marshall (10. Lewis Collins 83), 8. Asa Hall, 14. Brett McGavin, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 19. Duane Ofori-Acheampong (11. Brad Ash 75), 21. Dean Moxey (30. Ethon Archer 55). Subs not used: 17. Dillon De Silva, 22. Rhys Lovett.
