Harrow Borough suffer late setback after Maidstone United defeat

The late setback sent the Reds to their fourth successive league defeat but Dave Anderson’s side could take plenty of encouragement from their performance.

Boro, who entertain Leiston this Saturday, had an early opportunity to take the lead but Harold Odametey’s header was saved by keeper Lee Worgan.

Maidstone also threatened to grab the opening goal but Charlie Horlock managed to keep out Alex Flisher’s shot.

Anderson’s side opened the scoring just after the half hour mark when Marc Charles-Smith was fouled and Daniel May sent a free-kick past Worgan into the net.

Ben Long had a shot saved as the visitors finished the half strongly.

But Boro became increasingly defensive after the break as Maidstone piled on the pressure. Flisher was denied by a decent save from Horlock but he headed over from a corner.

United’s attacking finally paid off in the 79th minute with the equaliser. The ball was crossed into the area and Flisher netted at the far post.

This brought the visitors to life and nearly regained the lead but Odametey’s 20-yard strike was kept out by an excellent save.

There were seven minutes of injury time and Boro could not hold out as the hosts pinched the win. Flisher sent in a deliver and Franny Collin headed home to deny the Reds.

Boro will travel to VCD Athletic in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup a week on Saturday after a 3-2 win at AFC Hayes last weekend.

It took just three minutes for the visitors to open the scoring when Steve Butterworth was pulled down in the area. Charles-Smith tucked away the penalty to give Boro a 1-0 lead.

But Hayes levelled the game midway through the half when a pass released Tobi Akinjirin and he fired past Horlock.

The Reds regained the lead just before half-time when Jake Gilbert headed home.

Boro made it 3-1 when Butterworth’s shot was deflected in by Spencer Bellotti before Akinjirin added his second of the game.