For only the third time this season, the Stones were beaten on the road as they went down to a solitary goal from George Alexander at Eastbourne Borough
Both sides came into this game, battling to stay in touch with Dorking Wanderers at the top of the table and the two teams were also in a similar vein of form. Eastbourne had taken 10 points from their previous six matches and Maidstone, eight from six.
After the comfortable win over Bath City, George Elokobi made just one change to the starting line up. Tom Leahy who had replaced Riley Court at half time, also took his place in the side.
With seven minutes gone, Maidstone were awarded a free-kick just outside the area. Ben Brookes assumed responsibility for this and his curling and dipping effort cleared the bar by a matter of inches.
Not long after this, Yahaya Bamba tried to pick out Courtney Clarke with an enticing cross but Raphe Brown was alert to the danger and headed the ball behind for a corner. From this, Jason Adigun played a low ball to George Alexander whose effort was deflected wide.
There was then little else to note until the 36th minute. Clarke played the ball to Brad Barry who ran down the right. His ball came to Kai Wollard-Innocent who fired just high and wide.
Ten minutes into the second half, Jason Adigun put in a decent corner. The ball came off Reece Greenidge and travelled goalwards but Alexis Andre Jr was alert to the danger. Play then swung to the other end. Aaron Blair was fouled and Ben Brookes’ free-kick was met by Greenidge but his header was just off target.
Then on 70 minutes, Eastbourne went in front. They won the ball in midfield and Adigun slipped a neat pass into George Alexander who riffled a good first time finish past Andre Jr.
Both sides were reduced to ten men not long after this. First of all, Raphe Brown clattered into Bamba close to the half way line and was shown a straight red card. Then, Courtney Clarke appeared to catch Brookes on the top of the foot, as the Maidstone player looked to get into the area, and he was shown a second yellow card.
There were nine minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game. The closest Maidstone came to an equaliser though was when substitute Bivesh Gurung swung in a good cross and substitute Shaq Coulthirst headed straight at Joe Wright.
Eastbourne Borough: George Alexander 70
Maidstone United: –
Eastbourne Borough: 1. Joe Wright, 4. Brad Barry, 9. George Alexander, 14. David Sesay (33. Pierce Bird 67), 15. Ollie Kensdale, 20. Yahaya Bamba (10. Michael Klass 88), 22. Jason Adigun (11. Josh Anifowose 88), 24. Dominic Odusanya, 27. Courtney Clarke, 28. Kai Wollard-Innocent, 30. Camron Gbadebo. Subs not used: 6. Moussa Diarra, 41. John Shamalo.
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 6. Raphe Brown, 5.George Fowler (18. Bivesh Gurung 45), 4. Reece Greenidge, 3. Ben Brookes, 12. Arj Krasniqi (15. Sol Wanjau-Smith 63), 14. Tayt Trusty, 8. Sam Corne (10. Shaq Coulthirst 87), 19. Tom Leahy (20. Ruben Shakpoke 64), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.
