ALDERSHOT TN 1, MAIDSTONE UTD 1

IF the mark of a good team truly is the ability to pick up points even when playing poorly, Aldershot elevated the old adage to an art form over Christmas.

A 95th-minute equaliser had stolen a draw at Guiseley seven days previously, and Jim Kellermann’s 93rd-minute header ensured that BT Sport’s live TV audience enjoyed a thrilling twist to this tale of the unexpected on Saturday.

Maidstone had failed to win any of their last six National League matches, but should have had victory wrapped up at the EBB Stadium long before Kellermann’s timely intervention.

Lewis Ward was Aldershot’s savior with several fine stops to keep his team in the game, despite a flat and disjointed display, leaving manager Gary Waddock to admit: “Football can be a cruel game and we’ve snatched a point from nowhere. Our performance today was poles apart from Boxing Day. I wasn’t happy, but our injury problems are never ending at the moment, so I’ve got to give great credit to the players for keeping going.”

Kellermann had been employed as an emergency right-back, with Cheye Alexander switching to left-back in place of injured captain Callum Reynolds. And the Shots then lost Will Evans after he took the full force of a point-blank defensive clearance in just the second minute.

Bernard Mensah and Jake Gallagher had shots blocked and Stuart Lewis cleared Kellermann’s glancing header off the line, but Maidstone’s desire to get as many men behind the ball as possible stifled Aldershot’s creativity.

The Stones then created the best chance of the half themselves. Joe Pigott flicked on Lee Worgan’s long clearance to send Aaron Collins chasing through and, with Alexander at his back, the Wolves loanee saw his shot well blocked by Ward.

Alexander pulled a shot wide of the far post at the start of the second half, but it was Maidstone who broke the deadlock on 48 minutes. Pigott’s lofted, angled pass over the top of the defence sent Collins again racing towards the area and with the advancing Ward failing to make contact, the striker was left with a simple tap-in.

Despite the introductions of James Rowe and Matt McClure from the bench, Aldershot continued to labour to little effect. Rowe hit the crossbar with a curling shot, but Maidstone created the better chances.

Ward made a superb reaction save to claw a deflected corner off the line and Collins brought two more strong stops from the goalkeeper. Luck continued to favour the Shots as Pigott’s fine free-kick hit the inside of the post and rebounded across goal.

With the Kent side on the brink of a much-needed win, Kellermann won a last-gasp corner with a brilliant teasing cross that nearly fell to Rendell. Taylor’s driven delivery to the near post was perfect for Kellermann’s angled run and the tall midfielder powered a header into the net.

Relief was the over-riding emotion and Aldershot sensed that this could prove to be a vital point in a congested title race.

Aldershot: Ward; Kellermann, Evans (Lyons-Foster 10), Fowler, Alexander; Oyeleke, Gallagher (Rowe 51); Mensah, Fenelon (McClure 64), Taylor; Rendell. Subs (not used): Cole, Blanchfield. Booked: Mensah, Fenelon.

Maidstone: Worgan; Twumasi, Wynter, Okuonghae, Anderson; Hines (Prestedge 82), Lewis, Reason, Loza (Wraight 64); Collins (Hare 87), Pigott. Subs (not used): McCorkell, Ter-Horst. Booked: Twumasi.

Referee: Adam Bromley.

Attendance: 2,287.

• Aldershot Town’s new 500 Club, which offers supporters a ‘money-back-and-more’ chance to back the Shots in their push for promotion, is already close to adding £30,000 to Gary Waddock’s playing budget.