Maidstone United 2 Salisbury 1 match report: Ryan Hanson’s injury-time goal earns National League South victory as visitors finish with nine men

Ryan Hanson scored an injury-time winner as Maidstone came from behind to beat nine-man Salisbury at the Gallagher Stadium.

Riley Court cancelled out Jordan Alonge’s opener and the Stones found themselves with an extra man when Jaiden Bartolo was sent off just after the break.

They looked set to be frustrated until Hanson struck in the third minute of added time, and there was still time for the visitors to pick up a second red card as Yacou Traore was dismissed.

Maidstone named the same side for the third successive game as they looked to continue their good form.

They didn’t hit the heights manager Craig Fagan wanted in the first half, falling behind to Alonge’s header just before the half-hour, with the tempo not quite there.

However, they levelled before the break through Court’s third goal of the season, giving them a platform to kick on.

Salisbury had some joy down the right-hand side during the first half and that was the source of the 29th-minute opener.

Ollie Morgan got away down the flank and crossed and while Bartolo’s header came back off the bar, Alonge nodded home the rebound.

You can work all week on patterns of play to break down a side but sometimes a bit of luck is all that’s needed.

That’s what happened for the equaliser as George Fowler’s mis-hit shot fell kindly to Court on the edge of the box and he beat Will Henry with a lovely low strike on his left foot.

Earlier, Tom Leahy drove wide after picking up possession in space and he also worked Henry from the edge of the box after turning on a Fowler pass, while a Leone Gravata cross just evaded the head of Court in the six-yard box.

At the other end, Robbie Gallagher bent an effort narrowly wide after cutting inside from the left, shortly after the