Shamir Mullings put through his own net as Maidstone slipped to a fifth straight defeat.

Mullings’ own goal, early in the second half, also meant a third successive 1-0 loss for caretaker boss Steve Watt.

The Stones were up against it in the first half and while they showed more going forward after the break, they never looked like scoring.

Salford have built a side to go straight through the National League and their quality was clear.

They played some lovely football, kept the ball moving and were as easy on the eye as any team you’ll see in this division.

At times they opened up the Stones at will, be it down either flank or through the middle and it was a case of the visitors doing everything they could to hold on.

Adam Rooney had a goal ruled out for offside in just the second minute and Salford went on to carve out a series of first half-chances with the likes of Michael Shelton, Rory Gaffney, Tom Walker and full-backs Ibou Touray and Scott Wiseman heavily involved.

Several balls across the face of goal just needed a touch, including a glaring mistake from Rooney, who didn’t anticipate Shelton’s pass with the goal gaping.

There was some wayward finishing too, Gaffney shanking his shot wide after turning Alex Finney in the box, while Lee Worgan saved well from Rooney after Maidstone were opened down the right and then from Walker’s fierce 20-yard strike.

While on the back foot for most of the half, Maidstone had a golden chance to lead out of nothing in the 16th minute.

Ollie Muldoon’s fine slide tackle on halfway sent Mullings free.

The big man did well to get away from the City defence and go through one-on-one but pushed the ball wide.

Having survived the first half, Maidstone trailed just two minutes into the second period.

Mullings was the unlucky man to head into his own net from a Salford corner as the hosts went in front.

Gaffney went close to a second, the ball flashing past the far post, before a nice little spell of possession for the Stones.

Watt and Craig Brewster were urging their men to get up the pitch and it did lead to more of the ball and a few crosses going in.

United also appealed for a penalty for a challenge on Mullings but the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

Much like when they rallied against Sutton on Tuesday night, Maidstone still didn’t look like scoring and it was Salford who looked more threatening whenever they went forward, albeit reduced to strikes from outside the box, including one from Nick Haughton.

A tricky run from Stones substitute Andre Coker lifted the away fans and while it came to nothing, it was good to see someone direct and willing to get at the Salford defence.

Fellow substitute Jack Richards, seeing his first action of the season, had a shot blocked from the edge of the area and sent another effort wide.

Maidstone: Worgan, Efete, De Havilland, Wynter (Richards 80mins), Finney, Twumasi, Muldoon, Phillips, Paxman (Coker 75mins), Loza, Mullings. Subs not used: Funnell, Capel, Robins.

Attendance: -