Maidstone slipped to their eighth defeat in nine London 1 South matches after failing to protect a slender half-time lead against Beckenham at The Mote.

Looking to build on last week’s last-gasp victory over fellow strugglers Aylesford, Maidstone showed spirit in abundance, but paid the price for failing to do the basics well.

A penalty from 40 metres gave Beckenham a 15th minute lead, but Maidstone hit back when an attempted clearance kick was charged down and Andy Bacon went over for a try converted by Mike Molloy.

An exchange of penalties saw Maidstone ahead 10-6 but five minutes from half-time the Beckenham winger went over for an unconverted try.

From the restart Maidstone put the Beckenham defence under pressure, forcing two penalties, the second of which was kicked by Molloy to give them a 13-11 interval lead.

Molloy was unlucky with two more penalties early in the second half - one drifting just wide and the other hitting an upright - and Beckenham regained the lead with a well-constructed try 10 minutes in.

The conversion moved the visitors into an 18-13 lead and Maidstone’s task was made harder when centre Ben Cleary was yellow-carded for holding back his opposite number.

The penalty which followed moved Beckenham eight points clear and they held on despite Tommy King - back after injury - almost putting Peter Horne over for the home side near the end.

Maidstone are at leaders Gravesend on(Saturday.