Torquay United denied victory as Maidstone snatch late Plainmoor point

Torquay United were left frustrated at Plainmoor after league leaders Maidstone United struck five minutes from time to secure a 1-1 draw in horrendous conditions under Storm Austen.

With driving rain and swirling winds making life difficult for both sides, Jimmy Ball’s United showed plenty of determination and created several opportunities to claim all three points, only to be denied by a late equaliser.

Ball selected Tyler Hill alongside Jake Wannell and Oludare Olufunwa in a back three, with Harry Shield and Kian Jenkins operating as wing-backs.

United threatened early, with Shield sending a dangerous ball across the face of goal on 15 minutes. Maidstone survived, however, before responding four minutes later when Ken Charles and Dermi Lusala combined, although their cross evaded everyone and the visitors were flagged offside.

The Gulls adapted well to the challenging conditions and took the lead on 27 minutes. Shield continued to cause problems down the right, delivering an inviting cross into the penalty area where Frankie Hvid slid in and diverted the ball beyond goalkeeper Lenny Holden.

United had a golden opportunity to double their advantage four minutes later. Shield again beat his man before driving a low cross towards Matt Jay, who was brought down inside the box. Cody Cooke stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Holden guessed correctly and pushed his effort away.

Maidstone threatened before the interval, forcing Wannell into an important last-ditch clearance as United protected their slender advantage.

The hosts started the second half positively. Cooke was immediately involved after the restart, forcing Holden into a save, before Jay unleashed a powerful effort from the left of the penalty area that was cleared with United players waiting to pounce.

United came agonisingly close to a second on 55 minutes. Cooke broke beyond Maidstone’s high defensive line and found Deon Moore in space on the left, but Holden recovered to push Moore’s effort up and away from danger.

Leon Gravata later fired over from the edge of the area as the Gulls continued searching for the goal that would put the contest beyond the visitors.

However, Maidstone refused to surrender their unbeaten resolve. In the 84th minute, a corner was delivered towards the near post, where Cooke’s attempted clearance lacked conviction. Hvid reacted quickest, looping the ball over Toby Savin and into the net to level the scores.

It was a cruel blow for United, whose determined display had deserved better reward. While the Gulls had to settle for a point against the league leaders, their attacking intent and defensive resilience offered plenty of encouragement despite the late disappointment.