Torquay United 1 Maidstone United 1 match report: Frankie Hvid heads late equaliser for National League South leaders after scoring first-half own goal

Frankie Hvid made up for a first-half own goal by scoring a late equaliser as Maidstone left Torquay with a point.

Defender Hvid put through his own net to hand Torquay the lead in driving wind and rain at Plainmoor and the hosts missed the chance to double their advantage when Lenny Holden saved Cody Cooke’s penalty.

Hvid rescued a draw six minutes from time to salvage a point and keep Maidstone top of National League South, sending 234 travelling fans back to Kent happy.

Torquay had the wind in their favour in the first half but didn’t use it to their advantage.

They often took the easy option, banging the ball upfield and invariably it ran out of play.

The Gulls also failed to test Holden in what are always difficult conditions for goalkeepers - one of those days where it’s worth having a shot from 25 yards or more.

Maidstone, playing some neat football on the deck into the wind, were in the ascendancy when they fell behind midway through the first half.

The opener came in the 27th minute when the unfortunate Hvid, back in the starting XI, diverted Harry Shield’s harmless cross beyond Holden, who’d come off his line to claim.

Torquay were handed a chance to double their lead from the penalty five minutes later after Stones skipper George Fowler brought down Matt Jay in the box.

Cooke stepped up but Holden made a brilliant diving save low to his left to keep Maidstone in the game.

Holden got down well to deny Cooke again at the start of the second half after ex-Stone Deon Moore and Caleb Roberts combined on the edge of the box.

The Gulls made a bright start to the half, suggesting they were more comfortable playing into the wind, and it was down to the visitors to see how they could use the conditions effectively.

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