Bobby-Joe Taylor came off the bench to inspire Maidstone to victory at Gateshead on Saturday.

United trailed at the break after Tom Mills played the ball against Heed striker Jordan Burrow. It was initially given as an own goal but Burrow will get the credit.

Taylor forced the corner which led to United’s equaliser as Heed defender Liam Hogan put through his own net.

And three minutes later he scored the winner as Jay Saunders’ side made it nine games unbeaten and moved into mid-table in the National League.

United were forced into a change with in-form Jamar Loza injured and not travelling to the north east, so in came Yemi Odubade to face his old club.

Maidstone started well, enjoying plenty of possession, without testing home keeper James Montgomery.

Half-chances saw Stuart Lewis and Alex Flisher have shots blocked, then a Flisher long throw was flicked wide by Joe Pigott.

The athletics track at the International Stadium gave Flisher plenty of room to hurl in his long throws and there were several in the first half as Maidstone continued to make most of the running.

Stones did work Montgomery when Lewis’ 25-yard strike was parried and gathered by the Heed keeper before Pigott could get to the loose ball.

Seconds later, in the 26th minute, Maidstone fell behind to a strange goal.

There was no danger when Paddy McLaughlin crossed from the left but as Lee Worgan came out to meet it, Mills had a swing and the ball went in off Burrow.

Seth Twumasi almost put through his own net moments later while Worgan touched a Burrow strike past the post as Heed threatened a second.

With next to nothing happening after the break, Maidstone turned to Taylor midway through the second half.

He immediately made a couple of lively runs and it was his deflected shot that led to the corner for United’s 73rd-minute equaliser.

Odubade took it, with the ball going in off Heed defender Hogan despite Montgomery’s best efforts to stop it crossing the line.

Taylor then put Maidstone in front three minutes later, running on to a pass from Reece Prestedge and sending the ball into the far corner with his weaker right foot.

It nearly got even better for Maidstone when Taylor squared for George Oakley but Gus Mafuta cleared off the line.

United survived seven minutes' injury time to inflict the Heed's first home defeat since November.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Lewis, Paxman (Taylor 65mins), Prestedge, Odubade (Oakley 80mins), Pigott, Flisher. Subs not used: Acheampong, Phipps, Okuonghae.

Attendance: 967 (199 Stones fans).