Aaron Blair’s superb second half equaliser saw the Stones take a deserved point away from promotion favourites Dorking Wanderers despite having played the best part of an hour with 10 men.

George Elokobi’s boys showed amazing determination and character in the second half having had Reiss Greenidge shown a straight red card in the 35th minute. Following Saturday’s FA Cup exit at Solihull Moors, the gaffer was able to bring back Jon Benton back into the side as the only change with Pierre Fonkeu making way.

It was the Wanderers that created the first opening of the game when Alfie Rutherford set up winger Set Bowerman for a first time effort but blazed the effort over the bar. Seconds later, Charlie Seaman nearly hit the sucker punch at the other end when his rasping shot from the edge of the box just brushed the side netting.

Despite the way Dorking set up, defensively they were very vulnerable to crosses and Brennan Camp was let off the hook when he failed to deal with Seaman’s out swinging cross which found it’s way to Antony Papadopoulos but fired well over the bar. The crosses kept on coming from both side as Jon Benton managed to flick on Ben Brookes’ corner from the right but no one was at the back post to tap in.

Marc White’s men almost self inflicted a disaster at the back when Jason Prior’s high lofted back pass towards keeper Harrison Foulkes wasn’t brought down very well but Benton couldn’t capitalise on the poor first touch as his attempted shot went wide.

It is always difficult to play against Dorking away from home and the task got made even more difficult when Reiss Greenidge was given his marching orders for what looked like an elbow to the face when challenging Jason Prior for a header in the middle of the park. It had a clear affect on the game because less than two minutes later, the Stones found themselves behind. Substitute Jordan Norville-Williams’ whipped free kick found defender Brennan Camp as he initially had his original bicycle kick shot denied by Alexis Andre Jr but followed up to convert the rebound.

Half-time really needed to come because not long before the break, Theo Alexandrou managed to hit one into the side netting following Alfie Rutherford’s strong penalty appeal turned away by the referee.

The gaffer responded at the break by changing shape and adding Harry Lodovica up top to help support Aaron Blair. The change appeared to work before 9 minutes into the second period, Brookes slipped the ball down the left hand side towards Blair who was able to cut inside before curling a beautiful effort into the far corner to bring the 10 men level.

This opened up the game massively and the confidence in the Stones players only continued to grow as the half went on. George Fowler went on a bursting run through the middle before playing the ball across to Benton who saw his shot deflected wide when it could have gone anywhere.

Lodovica nearly made himself a hero when Benton clipped the ball across the 6 yard box and it only required a tap in but the Stones forward wasn’t able to get there in time.

In the dying embers of the game, the home side pressed for a winner and bar Tony Craig’s header at the back post which he failed to keep down, the Stones could walk away very pleased with a hard fought point and making it 6 league games unbeaten.

Dorking Wanderers: Brennan Camp 37’

Maidstone United: Aaron Blair 54’

Dorking Wanderers: 1. Harrison Folks, 2. Brennan Camp, 5. Tony Craig (C), 6. Niall McManus (42. Theo Alexandrou 37 mins), 7. Jimmy Muitt, 9. Jason Prior, 10. Alfie Rutherford, 20. Dan Gallagher, 27. Robert Milson (24. Jordan Norville-Williams 20 mins) (3. Bobby Joe-Taylor 55 mins), 28. Jack Young, 30. Seb Bowerman (8. Matt Briggs 72 mins). Subs not used: 22. Barry Fuller.

Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Aaron Blair, 11. Charlie Seaman, 14. Tayt Trusty, 17. Jon Benton (19. Pierre Fonkeu 90+5 mins), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (15. Harry Lodovica 45 mins) (10. Shaq Coulthirst 90+5). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 18. Bivesh Gurung.