Maidstone battled to a goalless draw at Maidenhead.

They rode their luck at times but finished strongly and might even have pinched victory.

Still, it was a useful point and a welcome clean sheet after conceding 12 goals in the previous three games.

There was late controversy when Stuart Lewis went down in the box in added time but was booked for diving, along with an incensed Delano Sam-Yorke.

Maidstone handed a first start to on-loan Wolves youngster Aaron Collins.

It was a tough game for anyone to come into, a scrappy old affair with few chances at either end in a quiet first half.

The Stones went closest from virtually their only strike of the opening 45 minutes, with Joe Pigott’s deflected free-kick from 25 yards hitting the post after a foul on Zavon Hines.

Maidenhead had made the better start without troubling Lee Worgan, mustering a couple of wayward efforts over the bar.

They showed some nice touches in the final third but didn’t look like doing much until late in the half when Harry Pritchard - probably their best player - saw two efforts flash past the post.

The first came from the edge of the box after Maidstone could only partially clear but he should have buried the second chance after the ball sat up nicely about eight yards out.

Maidenhead were on top early in the second half, putting a few crosses into the Stones box, while Harold Odametey’s effort from the edge of the area was well-held by Worgan.

If that was routine for the Stones captain, his save from Jake Hyde’s diving header was anything but, a brilliant stop low to his left by the post with next to no time to react.

Maidenhead made a double change with 20 minutes left and it was one of the substitutes, Sean Marks, who somehow headed over from two yards out as the Magpies missed a golden chance to lead.

Moments later United went close with Alex Wynter’s strike just over after keeper Carl Pentney flapped at a cross, then Pigott had his hands on his head after missing the far corner by inches.

Maidstone were having a good spell and threatened again when substitute Reece Prestedge was denied by Pentney but Moses Emmanuel should have done better at the other end.

There was a big chance for Maidstone two minutes from time when Pigott span Massey and fed Jamar Loza who rolled the ball wide.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Anderson, Wynter, Finney, Lewis, Reason, Hines (Prestedge 71mins), Collins (Loza 67mins), Pigott, Sam-Yorke. Subs not used: Okuonghae, Paxman, Wraight.

Attendance: 1,313.