A last-minute goal denied Maidstone a point after battling back from two goals down against National League giants Wrexham.

Aaron Hayden finished a corner to give the visitors victory but the Stones can take great heart from their performance under caretaker boss George Elokobi.

Luke Young and a Paul Mullin penalty put the Red Dragons 2-0 up at the Gallagher.

Jack Barham’s double squared the match and at that stage Maidstone looked the more likely winners.

However, there was a cruel twist at the death.

Tom Hadler’s return lasted one game - an elbow injury in training ruling him out.

His place in goal went to Yusuf Mersin, in the only change to the side who beat Notts County in the FA Trophy.

Wrexham, backed by almost 500 travelling fans, arrived as the form team in the division having gone 13 league games without defeat, a run stretching back to October.

It wasn’t hard to see why they pick up so many results.

Not only can they play, they’re also a big, strong side who aren’t shy of going direct or using the giant long throws of defender Ben Tozer to good effect.

Maidstone were in for a physical battle and they stood up to it well, Joe Ellul relishing the contest in winning a series of headers throughout the first half.

The hosts had their moments in attack, Barham and Sha’mar Lawson forcing low saves from Mark Howard and Sam Corne bending an effort just past the far post.

Generally, though, Wrexham were on top in the opening 45, with Maidstone working hard to keep them at bay.

Sam Dalby should have scored at the near post, seconds after Barham’s chance for the Stones.

There were three openings for right-wing-back Anthony Forde, one hit wide, another brilliantly blocked on the line by George Fowler and the third forcing an excellent save from Mersin diving to his right.

Top scorer Mullin had a goalbound effort diverted over by Ellul, headed over when well-placed after a long throw was flicked on, and was involved again when Wrexham took the lead on 29 minutes.

It was hard on Mersin, who came out of his goal to save well as Mullin raced through one-on-one, with the rebound dropping to Young, who looped the ball into the net from 25 yards.

Maidstone made progress in Wrexham territory early in the second half but conceded a second goal in the 59th minute after Mullin went down under challenge from Ellul in the box.

There didn’t look much in it but referee Aji Ajibola pointed to the spot and Mullin fired low into the bottom left-hand corner, giving Mersin no chance.

Maidstone enjoyed a spell of pressure after the goal, and continued to compete well.

They pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, Barham firing home the rebound from close range after substitute Christie Pattisson’s shot was blocked from a Ryan Galvin cross.

Maidstone went for it, introducing the power and pace of James Alabi up front in place of defender Fowler, looking to capitalise on a rattled away back line.

If Wrexham were thinking about Alabi, they forgot about Barham as Maidstone levelled on 79 minutes.

What a header it was, too, as Barham rose to meet Regan Booty’s inswinging cross from the right, triggering wild celebrations.

Alabi went close to a third for the Stones, bending the ball narrowly past the post after cutting inside, then Barham fired over after turning on Booty’s pass.

But Wrexham pinched it when Hayden beat Mersin from a corner.

Maidstone: Mersin, Fowler (Alabi 74mins), Bone, Ellul, Binnom-Williams, Booty, Lawson (Pattisson 59mins), Corne, Deacon, Barham, Galvin. Subs not used: Barden, Odusanya, Jobe.

Wrexham: Howard, McFadzean, Tozer, Hayden, Tunnicliffe (Jones 86mins), Young, Mullin, Forde, Dalby (Palmer 70mins), O’Connor, Lee. Subs: Lainton, McAlinden, Cleworth.

Referee: Aji Ajibola.

Attendance: 3,341 (486 away).