Maidstone United 1 St Albans City 1 match report: Antony Papadopoulos’ opener cancelled out by Ken Charles as National League South clash ends in a draw

Returning striker Matt Rush had two goals ruled out as Maidstone were held by struggling St Albans.

Antony Papadopoulos gave United a half-time lead, with Ken Charles levelling for the visitors.

Rush, introduced as a second-half substitute after rejoining on loan from Sutton, thought he’d restored the hosts’ lead but his strike was disallowed for handball.

He had the ball in the net again soon after but Reiss Greenidge’s shot had gone out and come back into play, rather than rebounding off the post, before Rush pounced.

The point extends United’s unbeaten run in National League South to 11 games although this was their ninth draw of the season.

Maidstone were unchanged from the side who started the midweek win over Eastbourne.

Saints, with ex-Norwich defender Ian Culverhouse in charge for the first time, shaded the opening stages at the Gallagher Stadium.

Maidstone had some defending to do but steadily grew into the game with Blair running as hard as ever and Sam Corne finding his passing range and dictating in the centre.

Blair had a strike parried by Michael Johnson before Maidstone took a 21st-minute lead.

It came from the left, with Blair finding Ben Brookes, whose cross evaded Bentley but reached Papadopoulos whose smart first-time finish found the bottom corner.

Soon after, Greg Cundle timed his run well to meet Blair’s cross but Johnson reacted well to push the ball out for a corner.

Stones keeper Alexis Andre Jr launched a swift counter-attack after the half-hour mark, a clearance finding Blair who shook off two defenders on his way into the box before hitting the side-netting under pressure.

Zane Banton fired over for the visitors after meeting a knockdown from a free-kick while Bentley made an angle to shoot