In the national series for the first time after claiming their maiden top-division premiership, Maitland led 2-1 at halftime courtesy of two penalties from Matt Thompson.

Joel Stone hit the woodwork early for Devonport but the Magpies struck first when Andrew Swan was fouled.

Thompson buried the dot shot on 12 minutes and had another in the 22nd when he went down in the box. The former Socceroo again beat Strikers keeper Nathan Pitchford to his left.

Maitland had dominated chances and looked set to run away with the game but Devonport quickly responded. Max Fitzgerald got in behind on the left side before cutting the ball back to find Miles Barnard for the finish in the 25th minute.

Both sides had other first-half opportunities in an open affair. James Thompson had a one-on-one chance and another shot blocked, while Fitzgerald hit the post and Edward Bidwell blasted a strike straight at Magpies keeper Matt Trott.

Devonport thought they had equalised from a corner in the 54th minute but the referee ruled a foul on Trott. Maitland should have made the Strikers pay at the other end for switching off, but Ryan Clarke, who missed a chance a minute earlier, was wide with a one-on-one chance off a long ball as the Strikers remonstrated.

Clarke, though, helped give Maitland breathing room when he crossed for Sean Pratt in the 71st minute. Pratt scored with his second attempt after Swan won the ball in midfield and found Clarke in behind.

Charles Bidwell scored off a rebound at a free kick in the 86th minute to give the Tasmanian premiers hope at 3-2, but Maitland held firm in the frantic final minutes.

Magpies coach Mick Bolch was proud of the gritty effort after the disappointment of losing 2-0 to Edgeworth in the grand final last Sunday. Maitland were also without Nick Cowburn, Grant Brown, Mat Swan and Joel Wood.

"We've got four guys out of the starting 11 so the boys who've come in don't have a great deal of match fitness, so it was going to happen," he said of his side tiring late in the humid conditions.

"We didn't do a great deal this week after the grand final and Mad Monday, but I can't knock the effort. They were representing the region and we spoke about that before the game, how important this game was."

"We created enough chances to win two games, and conceded two off set pieces, which we've got to get better at, but it's onwards and upwards."

Devonport coach Rick Coghlan was fuming about the second penalty call.

"It simply wasn't a penalty, it's that clear," Coghlan said.

"I've had this once this year when your frustration with the referees gets too much, but again I'm happy to take any repercussions - the referee was just awful, simply awful. It's a real shame that was such a huge influence on such a big game."

"Take nothing away from Maitland, they are a very dangerous team on the counterattack and hurt us with that third goal."