Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Maidstone United 1 match report: Dajon Golding’s opener cancelled out in added time as Stones draw National League South opener

An injury-time equaliser denied Maidstone victory on the opening day of the National League South season.

The Stones were heading for three points at Hemel Hempstead after debutant Dajon Golding’s first-half strike.

But the Tudors levelled through substitute Millar Matthews-Lewis in the second minute of added time.

Stones boss George Elokobi named nine summer signings in his starting XI at Vauxhall Road.

Skipper Sam Corne and new vice-captain George Fowler were the only survivors from last season.

Maidstone, with the wind behind them, were good value for the half-time lead given to them by Golding’s debut strike.

They looked well-organised in defence, with lots of talking, while Corne and TJ Bramble were effective in front of the back four.

Going forward, there was plenty of running on either flank from Golding and Jesse Nwabueze, and Moore showed the hold-up play that Elokobi believes will give Maidstone another dimension.

Moore’s qualities were evident as the Stones created a decent chance just past the 20-minute mark, holding off his man on the edge of the box before teeing up Nwabueze, who brought a flying save from Tudors keeper Michael Johnson.

Lexus Beeden had an effort blocked from John Gilbert’s subsequent corner before Maidstone took a 28th-minute lead.

Again, Moore was involved, using his strength in the box after latching on to a long ball to keep the Hemel defence at bay.

Aware of Golding’s presence, he laid the ball off to his team-mate, who fired through Johnson’s legs for the opening goal.

Mauro Vilhete sent a header wide for Hemel from a corner, while Maidstone might have made more of a couple of counter-attacks towards the end of the first half.

John Gilbert went close from a deflected free-kick just