Maidstone manager George Elokobi respected the officials’ decision to award Truro’s late winner at the Gallagher Stadium.

United lost 2-1 on Saturday after conceding from an 89th-minute goalmouth scramble following a free-kick.

Referee Morgan Conn ruled the ball had crossed the line after consulting with linesman Josh Williams.

Tyler Harvey was initially credited with the decisive touch but it was finally given as Jaze Kabia’s goal.

Home fans made their feelings clear at full-time but Elokobi had no complaints.

He said: “I have to look back at the goal but whatever decision the officials give, we respect it and move on.

“You can’t change anything but I’ve got no problem with that.

“Like I said to our players, we needed to score three goals to win the game and we didn’t do that. We move on. No excuses.”

A free-kick also led to Truro’s first-half opener, with Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain heading home.

Substitute Reiss Greenidge levelled from Ben Brookes’ corner in the 85th minute after a better second-half performance.

But Truro went back to Cornwall with the points.

“I’m disappointed but not overly disappointed,” said Elokobi after his side’s first defeat of the National League South campaign.

“There were lots of pluses in the game.

“Congratulations to Truro. They played to their strengths and we couldn’t quite defend properly in those restarts.

“Like we said to the players, we analysed it, we told them what was coming and it’s about making sure we defend our box and defend our goal.

“But there were lots of pleasing things, especially in the second half, to take out of it.

“The first half was flat. We didn’t have enough creativity, enough movement, enough connectivity within the units.

“The ball speed was slow at times and we needed to speed things up.

“We spoke about it at half-time and it was a much more pleasing second half.”

Defender Greenidge was introduced after George Fowler suffered a head injury - but he was coming on anyway.

He scored with his second touch, having had an effort cleared off the line with his first.

“Reiss was coming on,” revealed Elokobi.

“I’m not going to tell you who for but he was coming on.

“We have to be mindful because he’s been nursing an injury and we have to manage him right but we wanted to get him on.”

It’s the second week running a centre-half has scored for Maidstone, following Temi Eweka’s winner at St Albans.

The forwards are still to get off the mark.

Elokobi added: “I said I wanted our defenders to chip in and they’ve done that in two games.

“Now bring on our forward players. I’m coming for them.

“I’ve said to them they need to believe a little bit more when they’re in that 18-yard box and six-yard box.

“Pick a spot and hit it properly and let it hit the back of the net.

“I know it’s easier said than done but Truro put their bodies on the line and you’ve got to admire that.

“We created enough chances to get something out of the game but well done to Truro.

“They defended their goal and their box excellently.

“On another day we could have had three or four goals but it wasn’t to be.

“We have to take those positives but also we have to look at how we defended the restarts and try and help our players out.”