JONATHAN Redfern's golden goal sent Doncaster through to the quarter-finals of the HA national cup competition.

But visitors Maidstone could count themselves unlucky after they were denied by a last gasp equaliser in normal time.

The home side went into Sunday's clash at Town Fields on the back of a disappointing 1-0 league reverse at the University of Durham 24 hours earlier.

Injuries and unavailability meant the hosts had to field several young second-teamers.

And the makeshift side was up against it right from the off as Maidstone settled more quickly, broke the deadlock and held firm for a one goal lead at the break.

Doncaster were already without Greg Vickers and Richard Thomas who both picked up injuries in the north east.

And their task was made even harder after the restart as Pete Bartlett was forced off with a back injury.

The Northern Conference side were enjoying good possession but all too often they lost the ball in promising areas, while the visitors also had chances to extend their lead - but came up against an in-form Ashley Watson in the Doncaster goal.

The Town Fields' men persistence finally paid off in the last minute when Simon Finnigan finished off a neat move involving Colin Edwards and Joe Morrison to level the game.

Maidstone shrugged off the disappointment of conceding so late as the tie went into a period of extra time but the determined visitors were hit by another sucker punch when Redfern converted a Morrison shot.

The golden goal sent Doncaster through to a last eight tie in the national knockout competition, to be played in March next year.

On Saturday a below par Doncaster slipped to a single goal defeat to the University of Durham at Maiden Castle - ending a run of three straight wins.

Barford Tigers provide the opposition at Bennetthorpe on Sunday (2pm), before the English Hockey League takes a two-month winter break.