A record crowd of 3,030 at the Gallagher Stadium saw Maidstone’s title chances suffer in a 2-1 defeat by Sutton.

Stones were two down inside 10 minutes after a nightmare start to Tuesday night’s top-of-the-table clash.

A strong Sutton side had a man sent off midway through the first half but United rarely looked like getting back in the game until Vas Karagiannis scored on 88 minutes.

The U’s move above Maidstone into second place in National League South, three points behind Ebbsfleet with two games in hand.

Jay Saunders’ side still have a game in hand on the leaders but are five points back.

United trailed after only two minutes with Dan Wishart easily shaking off Dan Sweeney, who seemed to stop playing, and firing across Lee Worgan into the far corner.

Callum Driver hit the bar with a header from an Alex Flisher long throw as United went close to an equaliser but on nine minutes they were two down as Craig Dundas’ cross was swept home first time by Craig Eastmond.

Sutton, unbeaten in 20 games, were in complete control and when Maidstone did have the ball they either gave it straight back or turned into trouble.

Keeper Worgan made an excellent save from Wishart’s 20-yard drive as the home defence continued to look jittery but there was a lifeline for Maidstone on 25 minutes when Sutton were reduced to 10 men in strange circumstances.

Worgan attemped to pull Kevin Amankwaah to his feet after Maidstone were awarded a goal-kick, the Sutton right-back responding by flinging an arm at the Stones captain who went down.

Saunders’ men started to get more into the game against 10 men, Karagiannis firing wide from a few yards out after Flisher’s cross dropped and Manny Parry heading past the post after getting the run on his man at a free-kick.

But generally the away defence were well protected and Maidstone were lucky not to be three down at the break, Sutton breaking quickly after Driver lost possession and Dundas powering through the defence only for Worgan to stick out a leg and save.

Maidstone gave it 10 minutes of the second half before making a change and it was an attacking one, with Alex Akrofi on for James Rogers.

The 10 men of Sutton still looked fairly comfortable at the back, keeping Maidstone at arm’s length, while looking dangerous on the break.

Jay May then replaced Sweeney as Maidstone threw more men forward.

Callum Davies, up from the back, missed the target with a header while defensive partner Parry just couldn’t bring the ball down when well placed to shoot.

Karagiannis’ fierce shot was blocked by Ross Worner moving into the final 10 minutes, with Akrofi spared by an offside flag after hitting the post from a yard with the follow-up.

There was hope for Stones with two minutes left when a cross-cum-shot from Karagiannis flew into the top corner.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Davies, Parry, Rogers (Akrofi 56mins), Karagiannis, Sweeney (May 71mins), Dumaka, Paxman, Flisher. Subs not used: Taylor, Banya, Bridle-Card.

Attendance: 3,030.