Maidstone United 1 Farnborough 0 match report: John Gilbert’s second-half winner settles National League South clash

John Gilbert scored the winner as Maidstone maintained their National League South play-off challenge by beating Farnborough.

Gilbert came up with the only goal with 18 minutes remaining as United completed the double over their relegation-threatened visitors.

It was another vital victory for the Stones in their quest for a top-seven finish.

Maidstone announced the return of winger Christie Pattisson before kick-off.

Pattisson, part of the Stones’ 2022 title-winning squad, had been training with the club after a spell with Glentoran in Northern Ireland.

He was named among the substitutes as Maidstone were able to fill the bench for the first time in weeks, coming on for the final 20 minutes.

Manager George Elokobi had to make a change far earlier than planned after captain Sam Corne went down in the home penalty box.

He couldn’t continue and was replaced by Jamie Yila with only 18 minutes on the clock.

Maidstone’s one real opening of an attritional first half came minutes before the break when TJ Bramble was sent through on goal.

Gilbert was well placed for a tap-in but Bramble elected to go for goal and fired wide.

Just before that, Hamzad Kargbo’s header from a Riley Court corner went goalwards off Boro defender Ollie Robinson and was cleared off the line by Renny Smith.

Farnborough had some bright moments in attack but, like Maidstone, found clear-cut chances hard to come by.

Court charged down a shot from Afie Tuck on the edge of the area, while Mason Bloomfield couldn’t control his header after meeting a dangerous Toby Bower free-kick.

Maidstone went close at the start of the second half as Court hit the bar from a 20-yard free-kick, awarded for handball.

Wesley Fonguck threatened to get away at the other end but