Maidstone United 2 Slough Town 1 match report: Ryan Hanson’s late goal sends the Stones up to second place in National League South

Ryan Hanson scored a late winner as Maidstone beat bottom side Slough at the Gallagher Stadium.

Ken Charles gave United a half-time lead but former Stones striker Ruben Shakpoke levelled just after the break.

Hanson had the final say, though, netting eight minutes from time as Craig Fagan’s side moved up a place to second in National League South.

A quiet first half was short on action at either end before Charles broke the deadlock for Maidstone.

The goal came in the 38th minute after Riley Court and Leone Gravata combined neatly down the left-hand side.

Court continued his run into the box to meet Gravata’s cross and while the ball evaded him, Slough’s attempted clearance dropped straight to Charles, who fired home first time.

It was his fifth goal of the season and a good strike, given he had little time to get his feet right.

Maidstone’s first shot on goal had come in the 28th minute, Killian Barrett with a comfortable save from Gravata following a corner from Court.

Hanson went close from the edge of the area after linking with Tom Leahy, while a bright run from Leahy, after intercepting a pass, showed promise before he was dispossessed.

Slough looked well-organised under new boss Steve McKimm and made some progress going forward but the final piece of the puzzle was missing.

New signing Dennon Lewis got plenty of power behind his shot just before half-time but Stones skipper George Fowler threw himself in the way.

Maidstone conceded a poor, albeit well-taken, equaliser in the 48th minute.

Former Stones man Shakpoke got between Fowler and Frankie Hvid far too easily from Taona Munashe-Sundire’s through ball and confidently beat Lenny Holden.

Leahy had a shot blocked from close range after Court’s long ball released