Eastbourne Borough suffered late heartache as Aaron Blair’s goal on the stroke of 90 minutes saw Maidstone United prevail in the National League South Play-Off Semi-Final.

Alfie Pavey’s superb solo effort just after the hour looked like it would be enough to take the tie to extra time after Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong had given the visitors a first half lead at The ReachTV Stadium.

And the ball looked firmly in Borough’s court when Charlie Seaman was sent off with eight minutes to go, but Blair’s strike as the clock hit 90 proved enough to break the hearts of the hosts.

In a cagey first half, Maidstone enjoyed slightly more of the ball – but it was Borough who showed they weren’t afraid of having a go at goal. Jason Adigun and Yahaya Bamba both had efforts deflect into the arms of Alexis Andre Jr early on, before Seaman weaved his way through from the right but only to fire over at the other end.

Adigun then had a shot well blocked after some good build up play from the hosts, before Camron Gbadebo saw a header clip the top of the bar from a tight angle.

However, it was Maidstone who got the breakthrough three minutes before the break. A cross from the left was kept alive and George Fowler helped it into the path of Berkeley-Agyepong, who from close range swept home.

It was a difficult one to take for the Sports, who knew they would have to find something special against a side known for their defensive resilience – and they produced just that on 63 minutes.

A hopeful long ball from Freddie Carter was kept alive by Pavey, who shrugged off the challenge of both Reiss Greenidge and Temi Eweka before rifling a shot low past Andre Jr.

Eweka then denied Bamba from putting the Sports in front as Adam Murray’s men looked to turn the tie around, with Adigun shooting off target with 15 minutes to go.

Seaman was then shown a second yellow card with 82 minutes gone following a late challenge on Jack Clarke in midfield, reducing Maidstone to ten men.

Brad Barry then had a free-kick well kept out by Andre Jr, before sub George Alexander skewed a good chance wide of the mark after a great ball in from Courtney Clarke.

However, as the clock hit 90, the Sports were dealt the ultimate sucker punch. Riley Court played the ball over the top of the defence and Blair broke through on goal, and slotted past Joe Wright.

Borough went all out for the equaliser, but nothing would fall their way as their promotion dreams came to an end.