A goal two minutes from time denied Maidstone a point at Aldershot in their first National League away game on Tuesday night.

Stones looked set to escape with a draw until substitute Bernard Mensah pounced on a mistake by Bobby-Joe Taylor and buried a low effort past Stones keeper Lee Worgan.

There was a feelgood factor at the Rec with Gary Waddock, the man who took them into the Football League in 2008, back in charge, and bringing a load of new players with him.

The ‘Ginger Mourinho’ chants were soon ringing round in honour of Waddock as the Shots, beaten 1-0 at Barrow on the opening day, flew out of the traps.

Fast, incisive passing opened up the Stones time and time again early on, with the visitors struggling to get the ball and not holding on to it when they did.

Captain Worgan saved Maidstone twice inside five minutes, getting down low to his right to deny Matt McClure and then saving from Shamir Fenelon, with Jake Gallagher knocking the loose ball over and then sending a header wide.

Maidstone’s first little spell of possession led to a chance as Taylor fed Tom Murphy whose cross was flicked wide by Ben Greenhalgh.

It was a brief respite with Aldershot back on the attack and forcing an excellent double stop from Worgan after United lost the ball in midfield, keeping out Gallagher and the lively Iffy Allen’s follow-up.

The Shots wasted another good chance moments later, Scott Rendell’s backheel playing in McClure who finished tamely, then Callum Driver almost put through his own net trying to clear the danger with McClure lurking.

Stones were doing well to hang on in there but five minutes before the break showed how quickly football can change, Alex Flisher’s flick sending in Tom Murphy, only for Shots keeper Jake Cole to come off his line and block with his legs.

Maidstone brought on Jack Paxman for Greenhalgh at the break - someone to get on the ball and keep it in midfield - and they did see more possession, Flisher flashing an effort wide.

There was a blow when Driver - arguably Stones’ best player in the first half - was forced off injured, Taylor switching to right-back and Dumebi Dumaka on up front.

Before that, Fenelon volleyed over unmarked at the far post while last-ditch defending from James Rogers and Kevin Lokko kept Aldershot at bay.

But Maidstone were a threat on the break with Dumaka sliding in at the far post to meet Murphy’s cross, keeper Cole doing well for the second time.

Stones' Anthony Acheampong - a player who loves a battle - then got across sharply to throw himself in the way of a Gallagher strike with the Aldershot man well placed to score.

Just when it looked as though Stones would claim their second draw of the season, Mensah went through to win it for Aldershot.

Aldershot: Cole, Straker, Bellamy, Saville, Fenelon (Kellermann 90mins), Rendell, McClure, Alexander, Allen (Mensah 60mins), Gallagher, Reynolds. Subs not used: Arnold, Evans, Smith.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver (Dumaka 53mins), Mills, Acheampong, Lokko, Rogers, Murphy, Sweeney, Flisher, Greenhalgh (Paxman 46mins), Taylor. Subs not used: Coyle, Karagiannis, Evans.

Attendance: 2,355 (336 from Maidstone).