Maidstone started brightest and took the lead in the 7th minute through Steve Marshall. The goal was pure route one football. Keeper Kevin Hudson kicked long downfield and Marshall used his pace to get to the ball first, before executing a wonderful lob over Jamie Turner from 15 yards out.

Fleet eventually settled and scored twice in two minutes through Paul Booth, who shot high into the top right hand corner of Hudson’s net and then in the 17th minute through a close range Che Stadhart effort following Neil Davey’s goal line clearance.

Stones continued to press forward, trying to overcome the absence of influential playmaker Steve Butler. Marshall appeared to want to chip Turner in the Fleet goal at every opportunity after his early success. Fleet settled into a rhythm and looked more and more threatening as the half wore on, creating chance after chance through the large gap in the left of Maidstone’s midfield.

Stadhart had an effort disallowed for offside following Hudson’s fumble of a well worked free kick routine in the 41st minute, however, just on the stroke of half-time, Austin Berkley scored his first goal in the red of Gravesend after neat approach play from Booth had set up the goal.

The majority of the 2nd half saw Fleet camped in the Stones’ half of the pitch, but Maidstone did show some good control when breaking from defence, especially from the impressive Pedro Knight. He constantly supplied Richard Sinden and Marshall with passes to run on to. However, the home side’s defending was resolute and substitute keeper Jean-Zephirini Dominique looked very assured after replacing Turner at half time.

Former Herne Bay striker Liam Hatch replaced Booth and went on to score two fine goals. On 66 minutes, he volleyed home a corner kick from just inside the area giving Hudson no chance. Stones’ marking though was somewhat generous. 7 minutes from time, Hatch scored an even better goal. From 20 yards out, he struck the ball with the outside of his right boot sending the ball curling high into the top left corner for the goal of the night as Fleet went nap.

Gravesend & Northfleet: Turner, Smith, Lee, Burton, McKimm, Wilkins, Berkley, Bentley, Booth, Stadhart, Jackson

Subs: Hatch, Kwasi, Barnett, Owen, Coyle, Phillips, Amoku, Dominique.

Maidstone United: Hudson, Kempster, Ribbens, Foley, Coatham, Davey, Knight, Hackett, Sinden, Marshall, Jeffreys