Maidstone United 2 Chelmsford City 0 match report: Sam Corne’s penalty and a Matt Rush strike settle National League South clash at the Gallagher Stadium

Two late goals fired Maidstone to victory against high-flying Chelmsford in National League South on Tuesday night.

Sam Corne broke the deadlock from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining and Matt Rush added an injury-time clincher against the second-placed visitors, who had Finley Barbrook sent off.

Victory wasn’t enough to climb back into the play-offs, though, with George Elokobi’s men outside the top seven on goal difference.

Maidstone included a new signing on the bench in striker Matt Bentley.

His signing was announced a couple of hours before kick-off having been training with the club for the past few weeks following his return from America.

He came on for his debut with 18 minutes remaining as Maidstone chased a winner.

This fixture held happy memories for home fans with the Stones clinching the National League South title the last time City visited the Gallagher nearly two years ago.

Stones supporters in the Genco Stand sang non-stop about that 2022 championship triumph in the opening minutes of an entertaining, albeit goalless, first half.

It was end-to-end stuff with both sides having their moments in attack.

Raphe Brown had the ball in the net for Maidstone just before the half-hour mark but was adjudged to have handled the cross.

Jephte Tanga again looked bright for the hosts and it was his cross that led to an early chance for Mo Faal, who stabbed wide, while Bivesh Gurung forced an excellent save from Henry Gray after exchanging passes with Liam Sole in the box.

City’s best chance of the half saw Barbrook plant a free header over the bar from a corner - one he should have scored - while George Alexander’s free-kick brought a flying save from Lucas Covolan.

Covolan also saved well from Josh