Torquay United 1 Maidstone United 1 match report: Three players see red as National League South clash ends level

Maidstone left Torquay with a valuable point in a lively match which included three red cards.

Riley Court gave in-form United the lead with a superb free-kick but the Gulls levelled through Dylan Morgan.

Torquay had a man advantage after David Sesay was sent off for lashing out at home keeper James Hamon shortly before the break.

But they couldn’t break down the Stones and, as frustration grew, they had Louis Dennis and Jordan Young sent off in the closing minutes of a gripping National League South clash.

Hamzad Kargbo missed a glorious chance to win it for Maidstone in the 11th minute of added time when he headed over from a yard out.

Mo Faal was named in the starting XI as George Elokobi made three changes to the side who won at Hornchurch in Maidstone’s last league game at the end of December.

He came in for Deon Moore, while TJ Bramble replaced Dajon Golding, and George Fowler returned for the injured Lexus Beeden.

Faal and Bramble combined to release Antony Papadopoulos, who fired past the far post, as Maidstone threatened from an early counter-attack.

Torquay, having enjoyed most of the ball, began to put pressure on the Stones around the quarter-hour mark.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton missed the target after feeding Jordan Thomas and continuing his return to take the return ball, while Nathan Harness was sharply off his line to thwart Morgan.

Taylor Foran went on to make a superb challenge on Young in the box.

Having found themselves under pressure, Maidstone took a 22nd-minute lead after Court was chopped down by Jordan Dyer 25 yards out.

Court, who scored from a similar position in United’s 5-1 friendly win at Brentwood last week, got up and bent a terrific strike into the top corner.

There was a ‘here we go again’