Joe Healy flew 6,000 miles from Hong Kong to score Maidstone’s winner at Ebbsfleet.

Healy, away on business, arrived back in England on Friday afternoon and was almost left out of the side at Stonebridge Road.

Jay Saunders considered resting the midfielder on Saturday but the decision to stick with him paid off as he headed home Bobby-Joe Taylor’s free-kick for the only goal - not that the Maidstone manager saw it.

Saunders said: “I was bending down to get my drink so I didn’t see too much of it but I’m pleased for Joe, he’s scored some crucial goals for us.

“He’s been in Hong Kong all week. He only got back at 4pm on Friday so to put in a performance like he did was very good.

“It was touch and go whether I started him because of the travelling but we did and I’m pleased we did.

“It’s a great ball in by Bobby and Joe’s done well to get on the end of it.”

Victory over previously-unbeaten leaders Fleet moved United up to fifth place in National League South.

Daryl McMahon’s side enjoyed the best of the first half without truly threatening but Stones were the better team after the break.

Saunders said: “They went with a diamond, which caught us a little bit by surprise, so we had to change our shape.

“It took us 10-15 minutes to get to grips with that and then second half we came out and for half an hour I thought we were the better side.

“Obviously they threw the kitchen sink at us at the end, which you expect.

“It was a tricky one. I did think about coming here and changing it and going more defensive but I thought we’d go with the team that’s got us here.

“We kept the ball better second half, which was the main thing.

“I thought first half we kept giving it back to them, we looked a little nervy on the ball but second half we looked after it better and I thought we controlled the tempo of the game.”

Saunders felt Stones’ performance showed the progress his side have made since Fleet won 2-0 at the Gallagher Stadium in the first week of the season.

Jordan Parkes and John-Paul Kissock ran the show that night but were kept quiet at Stonebridge Road as United won the tactical battle.

Saunders said: “We have improved. We must have. That’s five clean sheets in a row now in the league and we’re looking OK.

“We’re ticking along nicely and I’m pleased. You’ve got to say well done to the lads, they’ve put a hell of a lot of effort into the games.

“Daryl’s got a brilliant team here, he’s a good manager and they’re still my favourites to win the league.

“They’re still the best team we’ve played this season - in both games - and I’m sure they’ll go on and have a very good season.”

Maidstone’s Kent Senior Cup match at Thamesmead on Monday has been postponed as their opponents face an FA Trophy replay the following night.