A poor game was settled by a lovely strike as Maidstone lost at home to Chippenham.

Jake Evans’ first-half bullet separated the sides, with United losing back-to-back matches in National League South for the first time this season.

It’s three successive defeats in all competitions, having also been knocked out of the FA Trophy by Barnet, although the Stones remain fourth in the table.

Midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, most recently of Havant, made his debut as Maidstone made four changes to the side beaten 5-1 at Worthing last weekend.

Paul Appiah and Raphe Brown returned in defence and Sol Wanjau-Smith came back in up top, with Reiss Greenidge, the suspended Bivesh Gurung, Michael Petrasso and Timmy Abraham those dropping out.

Manager George Elokobi served a one-game touchline ban after picking up his third booking of the season at Worthing, leaving assistant boss Craig Fagan and head of recruitment Zach Foster-Crouch to look after things from the dugout.

It was a flat first half at the Gallagher, with Maidstone struggling to get going in their final match before Christmas.

Agyepong had a 20-yard strike parried after picking up the ball in space while Will Henry made a point-blank save after Wanjau-Smith met George Fowler’s cross as Maidstone produced their first efforts on goal past the quarter-hour mark.

Chippenham had looked equally uninspiring before taking a 27th-minute lead, a magnificent first-time strike from Evans into the top corner after Caine Bradury’s shot was blocked.

Maidstone huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser before a moment of quality from Matt Rush to turn on Appiah’s pass but Henry got down to make the save.

Appiah, defensively sound and positive coming forward, had been Maidstone’s best player in the first half and the same could be said after the break.

But it was hard work once again for the hosts to unlock the door against a Chippenham side who were looking far too comfortable.

They finally managed a shot on goal with 12 minutes remaining, albeit from distance, with Sam Corne’s strike going out for a corner off a Chippenham defender.

Fowler’s well-timed challenge denied Craig Fasanmade a late second for the visitors.

Maidstone: Covolan, Appiah, Fowler, Brown (Sole 70mins), Hoyte, Berkeley-Agyepong, Corne, Kyprianou, Ezennolim (Petrasso 62mins), Rush, Wanjau-Smith (Abraham 68mins). Subs not used: Greenidge, Earle.

Chippenham: Henry, Jones (Williams 46mins), Ellison, Amadi-Hollway, Haines, Evans (Bray 70mins), McClure (Fasanmade 79mins), Spokes, Bradbury, King. Subs not used: Johnson, Mehew.

Referee: Charles Martland.

Attendance: 2,148.