Maidstone suffered their first defeat in 11 matches as Maidenhead won 2-1 at the Gallagher on Tuesday night.

Frannie Collin gave United hope with a late penalty but they missed the chance to close to within four points of National South leaders Ebbsfleet.

Stones made two changes to the side who won at Hampton in the FA Trophy, Alex Flisher replacing Matt Bodkin, who dropped to the bench, while Alex Akrofi came in for the suspended Jay May.

May’s presence up front up was sorely missed in a flat first half as United went in two goals down at the break.

A penalty, awarded against Callum Driver for a push on James Mulley, led to Ben Wright opening the scoring after 25 minutes.

It looked like Stones were going to get away with a one-goal deficit but in first-half injury time a mix-up at the back allowed Jake Reid in for a simple finish.

The warning signs were there early on for Stones when they lost possession and presented the ball to Reid inside five minutes, birthday boy Lee Worgan saving with his legs.

But United should have taken lead soon after.

Flisher’s ball over the top held up nicely for Akrofi, who lobbed onrushing keeper Carl Pentney from the edge of the edge only to see the ball drop inches wide.

Maidenhead looked sharper in attack but another decent chance fell Maidstone’s way just after the half-hour, Flisher sweeping over when well placed from Bobby-Joe Taylor’s cross.

Matt Bodkin replaced Adam Birchall at the break and with his first touch sent the ball inches wide after Pentney parried Taylor’s cross.

It got the crowd going, lifted Maidstone and not long after Taylor was denied after Flisher and Akrofi combined to send him through one-on-one.

United were vastly improved - Bodkin bringing energy to their play - and when the substitute linked nicely with Akrofi, the ball broke to Taylor whose shot was charged down.

Chances continued to fall Maidstone’s way, with Pentney making a fingertip save to keep out Akrofi’s header from a Bodkin centre.

The storm fizzled out midway through the half before substitute Collin’s glancing header was saved after Flisher’s flick sent Bodkin away down the left.

Flisher flashed a volley over moments before being bundled to the ground by Ryan Peters as United were awarded an 85th-minute penalty.

Collin gave United hope by sending Pentney the wrong way for his first league goal of the season.

Maidstone pushed for an equaliser, going close when Flisher's header sent Charles Banya clear but Pentney made the save.

There was an even later chance as Collin's close-range overhead kick was held.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Paxman, Flisher, Healy, Akrofi (Banya 68mins), Birchall (Bodkin 46mins), Taylor (Collin 59). Subs not used: Brown, Rogers.

Attendance: 1,731.