Farnborough 0 Maidstone United 1 match report: Raphe Brown’s header clinches National League South play-off spot

Raphe Brown scored the winner at Farnborough as Maidstone secured a National League South play-off place.

Defender Brown headed home the only goal 13 minutes from time to guarantee a top-seven finish.

A hardworking display was rewarded with a deserved victory as George Elokobi’s side ended the hosts’ seven-match winning streak.

Fourth-placed Maidstone can now concentrate on trying to secure a top-three finish and a home semi-final. They currently trail Braintree on goal difference.

The visitors had the two best opportunities of a goalless first half at Cherrywood Road.

Brown saw a header from Sam Corne right-wing corner well-saved by Jack Turner early on.

Turner came to Boro’s rescue again midway through the half, sticking out a leg to deny Matt Rush from close range.

There were several other half-chances for the visitors, with Turner off his line to snuff out an opening for Mo Faal, while Matt Bentley tried his luck with a clever backheel and Reiss Greenidge might have made more of Corne’s cross.

The Maidstone defence were kept on their toes by the long throws of Guy Hollis - a handy weapon and one the hosts quite rightly weren’t shy of using.

Olly Pendlebury saw a header hit the stanchion after meeting a cross from the left but that was as close as Farnborough came.

Maidstone had decent possession in the Boro half at the start of the second half.

They worked the ball into some good areas and looked the more dangerous side, without anything dropping in the box.

Maidstone introduced Sol Wanjau-Smith and Michael Adu-Poku in quick succession in a bid to make the difference in attack for the visitors.

But it was a centre-half who broke the deadlock with Brown swooping to plant home a free header from Corne’s outswinging