Maidstone United 2 Oxford City 1 match report

Maidstone beat Oxford City in a second v third battle at the Gallagher to set up next weekend’s trip to leaders Dorking.

Joan Luque’s wonder goal and a Joe Ellul header put United in control, with Joe Iaciofano replying.

But victory came at a price with key midfielder Regan Booty out of the Dorking game after being sent off 15 minutes from time.

There was a blow for the Stones before kick-off when Jack Barham - last week’s hat-trick hero at Eastbourne - was ruled out through illness.

Christie Pattisson got the nod to start over Mo Bettamer in Barham’s place in the only change from the win 3-2 win at Borough.

Oxford looked bright in attack in the opening moments but with Maidstone starting to move the ball nicely, they took the lead in the 14th minute.

The build-up was excellent and the strike even better as Maidstone worked the ball through Roarie Deacon, Booty and Sam Corne to Luque on the left, who cut inside and unleashed a brilliant strike into the far top corner.

Jerome Binnom-Williams blocked Elliott Benyon’s volley as Oxford threatened a quick response but it was 2-0 to the Stones in the 24th minute.

Ellul was the scorer with a thumping header after getting a free run to meet Booty’s corner.

Pattisson worked Dudzinski but probably had more time than he realised after turning his man from Luque’s pass as another good chance fell to Maidstone.

A brilliant save from Ben Dudzinski, somehow keeping out Michael Phillips’ diving header from a Corne cross, denied Maidstone a third and, seconds later, City were back in it.

The goal came in the 38th minute, with Iaciofano rolling the ball into the empty net after a breakdown in communication between Yusuf Mersin and his defence.

Pattisson fired wide after making room for a