Maidstone moved a point closer to National League safety at bottom side Guiseley.

The Stones’ five-month wait for an away win goes on but this was a useful result against a desperate Lions side.

Jay Saunders’ men were the better side and almost won it at the death when Joe Anderson’s strike hit the bar.

The early signs suggested a battle was on the cards with both sides showing plenty of commitment but little in the way of chances.

But with Reece Prestedge an ever-increasing influence on his return to the side, winning tackles, headers and getting the visitors going with simple little passes in the centre of the park, Maidstone got on top.

They carved out several chances around the midway point of the half, including a double opportunity for Ross Lafayette.

His first effort was blocked by Will Hatfield after Delano Sam-Yorke forced a mistake by Darren Holden and squared and he sent the second over the bar after Michael Phillips retrieved the loose ball and crossed.

Phillips, again catching the eye, looked set to score after meeting a deep Prestedge free-kick to the back post but the ball stayed out, with Alex Finney unable to force it home on the line.

Stuart Lewis belted over after Joe Anderson’s short free-kick found the Stones skipper in space, then Prestedge’s challenge and a Phillips pass set up Sam-Yorke whose strike from the edge of the box was held by Joe Green.

Maidstone put several fine crosses into the box as their good spell continued, Seth Nana Twumasi getting forward well from right-back, but two excellent chances fell the hosts’ way late in the first half.

Big Kayode Odejayi should have buried Kevan Hurst’s cross to the far post then Dayle Southwell rolled wide of an open goal after the ball dropped kindly.

There was another scare at the start of the second half when Odejayi got the better of Alex Finney and raced through, with Lee Worgan sticking out a hand right on the edge of his area to deny the Lions forward.

Maidstone went on to enjoy decent possession, Twumasi and Lewis trying their luck, but as the game opened up Alex Wynter blocked Hurst’s strike from a dangerous position.

Seconds after Prestedge snuffed out a counter with another top challenge, the ball was sent into the Guiseley box with Blair Turgott’s header hitting the bar.

Lewis was denied by Green after Lafayette and Sam-Yorke combined outside the box with Maidstone looking the more likely winners.

But with Guiseley urged forward by manager Sean St Ledger - draws are no good for them - a late chance fell to substitute Liburd but Worgan got down to make the save.

The same man flashed an injury-time strike inches wide, then Anderson's cracker hit the bar for the Stones.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Wynter, Finney, Anderson, Prestedge (Coker 89mins), Phillips (Reason 61mins), Lewis, Sam-Yorke, Lafayette, Turgott (Loza 71mins). Subs not used: Hare, Osei.

Attendance: 597.