Horsham 2 Maidstone United 1 match report: Ben Brookes’ penalty not enough as Stones beaten by Isthmian League hosts in FA Trophy second round

Maidstone limped out of the FA Trophy after a poor performance at lower-league Horsham.

They trailed to a Daniel Ajakaiye goal after two minutes and Reece Myles-Meekums doubled the Isthmian Premier side’s lead in the second half.

Ben Brookes scored a late penalty for the visitors but it’s Horsham who progress to round three.

Maidstone made four changes to the side who drew at Torquay on Tuesday night.

At least one was enforced following loanee Jon Benton’s recall by Solihull and subsequent move to Boreham Wood.

Captain Sam Corne and top scorer Aaron Blair were on the bench, while Tayt Trusty wasn’t in the squad.

Bivesh Gurung, Riley Court, Matt Bentley and Shaq Coulthirst were the players brought in.

Horsham had already beaten National League South opposition in this season’s FA Cup, defeating Dorking in that competition for the second year running.

They were tricky opponents and so it proved as Maidstone fell behind in just the second minute.

The goal came from a move down the right, with Lucas Rodrigues’ cross headed home by the lively Ajakaiye.

Boosted by the goal, the Hornets looked a yard quicker all over the pitch against a Stones side who couldn’t get going.

There was no rhythm, no pattern, no energy about the visitors’ play, with Horsham well on top, albeit without carving out loads of opportunities.

The Hornets might have doubled their lead, however, around the 20-minute mark when Ajakaiye ran on to a through ball and raced in on goal but Alexis Andre Jr made the save.

Maidstone had a big chance to equalise when the ball dropped to the unmarked Bentley a matter of yards out but he volleyed over the bar.

Temi Eweka sent a speculative effort over from 30 yards and George Fowler’s deflected effort hit the