Maidstone put up a decent fight at National League title contenders Wrexham but left the Racecourse empty-handed.

Ben Tollitt’s goal early in the second half settled the match although the Stones were always in contention.

The visitors looked dangerous going forward at times, creating some good opportunities, but they couldn’t find the net.

Wrexham probed away and put a few balls in the box but Maidstone looked comfortable in a goalless first half.

The biggest scare came 10 minutes before the break when Chris Holroyd got in behind the defence but Chris Lewington was sharply off his line to make an excellent save.

Other than that, Dan Wishart made an important challenge on Paul Rutherford and Will De Havilland threw himself in the way of Akil Wright’s strike but Wrexham didn’t look like scoring.

There were strong penalty appeals when Michael Phillips - fit to start after an ankle injury - got hold of Wright in the box at the end of the half but referee Matthew Dicocco waved play on.

Maidstone actually got into some areas on the counter, notably when Justin Amaluzor freed Blair Turgott, playing through the middle, for the first big chance for either side.

The Stones skipper looked a good bet to score as he went through on goal but keeper Rob Lainton got down well.

Turgott went on to see a deflected strike comfortably held after combining with Shaun Donnellan in another promising moment.

Having lacked a cutting edge in the first half, Wrexham were clinical four minutes after the break when Rutherford played in Tollitt, who rolled the ball across Lewington into the far corner.

Maidstone were on top midway through the second half, Josh Taylor troubling the Wrexham defence before Turgott’s shot was blocked and Taylor himself saw a shot deflected wide moments later.

The Dragons were looking untidy at the back and it looked for a spell as though Maidstone could make them pay.

Indeed, there was another half chance for Turgott but he didn’t get hold of his shot, while Jack Powell sent a free-kick over.

Wrexham had a chance to make the game safe with 10 minutes left when Tollitt’s cross found substitute Stuart Beavon but Lewington threw up an arm.

As the game became more stretched De Havilland made another good block after Beavon turned in the box, then Powell was denied by Lainton at the other end when teed up by Taylor.

Turgott fired wide once more as Maidstone continued to push for a leveller.

Maidstone: Lewington, S Donnellan, Davies, De Havilland, Wishart, Amaluzor (Embery 58mins), Phillips, Walton, Taylor, Powell, Turgott. Subs not used: Henry, Meredith, Paxman, L Donnellan.

Attendance: 3,604 (55 away).