Salford couldn’t convert a late chance to win their third round FA Trophy tie with Maidstone United at the Peninsula Stadium on Tuesday.
The Ammies will have to win a replay in order to progress to the quarter-final after goals from Michael Phillips and Salford’s Mani Dieseruvwe ensured the tie finished level.
Salford manager Graham Alexander made nine changes to the side that drew at Halifax, handing a debut to Amine Linganzi.
Salford started the brighter of the two teams, controlling possession but couldn’t put away their chances. Midfielder Kieran Glynn tried to lob Maidstone keeper Dion Curtis Henry after he was off his line, but the effort went just wide of the post.
The home side then had the best chance of the game as an off-the-line clearance denied Adam Rooney the opening goal.
This proved crucial as Maidstone’s resulting counter-attack led to the opener as Phillips broke through the Salford defence and slotted past Max Crocombe after 20 minutes.
Salford reacted well, and their efforts were paid off as a clever through ball from right back Josh Muscatt came to Glynn, who crossed for Dieseruvwe to poke home the leveller.
The second half was scarce of chances, with both teams struggling to get to grips with the pitch after heavy rain had fallen throughout the first half, bringing up a lot of mud.
However, in the last minute of the game, Devante Rodney broke through the Maidstone backline to surely seal a late win but dragged his effort wide of the post.
The game finished level meaning a replay will be scheduled to fight for a place in the quarter-final of the competition.
Alexander said, “a draw was probably a fair result in the end”.
“There was a lack of quality from both teams and it became a game of mistakes. We don’t want to blame the conditions, but we still feel as though we could have done better things.”
Salford play away to Braintree Town on Saturday in the National League.
Recent Comments