Maidstone United 2 Notts County 5 match report: Stones rally from two goals down but Mapgies pull clear

Maidstone gave their fans something to shout about but ended up well beaten by Notts County in their final home game of the season.

The Mapgies, needing a win to keep their National League title hopes alive, cruised into a three-goal lead.

Relegated United suddenly came to life with two goals in two minutes from Roarie Deacon and George Fowler and a comeback briefly looked on.

But County pulled clear again to run out comfortable winners, as Jim O’Brien finished with a hat-trick.

Notts hardly needed a helping hand but Maidstone obliged anyway by gifting them two early goals.

The opener came in the fifth minute with Yoan Zouma treading on the ball on the edge of the box, presenting it to Cedwyn Scott, who went through and beat Yusuf Mersin.

Notts’ second arrived 10 minutes later.

Raphe Brown, in his attempts to deal with Jodi Jones’ dangerous cross, inadvertently teed up O’Brien and he slammed home number two.

Maidstone didn’t get near Notts as the visitors popped the ball about for fun for the rest of the first half.

Jones was having a field day down the right as Notts dominated without needing to get out of second gear.

Further chances followed before the break, the best falling to Frank Vincent after Ruben Rodrigues and Sam Austin combined but Mersin got down well to block with his legs.

Maidstone’s only attempt of the first half was a free-kick from Notts old boy Regan Booty which went high and wide.

Away fan John Tennyson was introduced to the crowd at the break, having walked 160 miles from Nottingham to raise money for Cancer Research.

Speaking of his five-day trek, Tennyson said: “It’s emotional, very painful.

“I want to thank the Notts fans and the Maidstone fans for all the support I have had this week. It’s been