Aaron Blair scored the winner as Maidstone started the new year with victory over Welling.

Blair headed home the only goal midway through the second half as third-placed United extended their unbeaten run in National League South to 17 games.

It was a third successive defeat for a Wings side who remain one place above the bottom four.

Maidstone had some thinking to do in attack after losing the services of loanees Antony Papadopoulos and Matt Rush, recalled by Crawley and Sutton respectively, with the latter subsequently sold to Boreham Wood.

A reshuffle saw Riley Court come into the side on the right with Sol Wanjau-Smith playing centrally behind Aaron Blair and Charlie Seaman on the left.

The Stones produced a neat move in the opening minutes, with Wanjau-Smith’s backheel saved by Rhys Lovett after George Fowler exchanged passes with Court and crossed.

A promising Welling attack was stopped in its tracks when Reiss Greenidge chopped down Chiori Johnson, earning a booking, with the free-kick coming to nothing.

The Wings broke well at times in the first half but it was Maidstone making most of the running without looking too dangerous.

Blair worked Lovett at his near post and sent the follow-up into the side-netting.

He also had the best chance of the half in added time, shaking off the attentions of Alex Lankshear before rolling the ball past the far post.

At the other end, Temi Eweka made a good covering challenge to snuff out an opening for Dan Martin, while Gene Kennedy’s free-kick was easily saved by Alexis Andre Jr.

Stones midfielder Tayt Trusty had an effort blocked in the six-yard box at the start of the second half after Court and Fowler combined again.

Soon after, the Wings had Max Statham booked for diving in the box.

The pressure was coming from Maidstone, putting dangerous balls into the Welling area, which were well-defended, while Fowler forced a good save from Lovett on his left foot from 20 yards.

Their efforts were rewarded with the opening goal in the 69th minute.

Eweka’s header from a Ben Brookes corner was blocked and Blair was alert to nod home the loose ball.

Maidstone, with Sam Corne making his comeback from an ankle injury off the bench, were well on top after the goal.

They looked dangerous in attack without adding to the lead, with Andre Jr a spectator,

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Fowler, Eweka, Greenidge, Brookes, Higgs, Trusty, Court (Corne 72mins), Wanjau-Smith (Coulthirst 88mins), Seaman, Blair. Subs not used: Brown, Holden, Gurung.

Welling: Lovett, Johnson (Alexandrou 74mins), Winfield, Kennedy, Redfearn, Cornish, Lankshear, Bramble (Andrews 88mins), Di Trolio, Martin (Walker 74mins), Statham (Donkor 88mins). Subs not used: Grant.

Referee: Nathan Oakes.

Attendance: 2,750 (184 away).