Maidstone’s revival was halted by a narrow defeat at promotion-chasing Wrexham.

Shaun Pearson headed the only goal from a 75th-minute free-kick after Lee Worgan was harshly penalised just outside the area.

It was a first defeat in four games for the Stones and hard on Worgan, who had an excellent game, while Wrexham are unbeaten in 15.

Michael Phillips came in for the injured Jai Reason while Ross Lafayette was preferred to Delano Sam-Yorke as Jay Saunders made two changes from Wednesday night’s draw against Macclesfield.

It was Wrexham’s first game with Andy Davies in caretaker charge following Dean Keates’ departure to Walsall and they started like a train.

With Marcus Kelly buzzing about in midfield and making the hosts tick, Wrexham created a number of early chances, keeping Worgan busy on the ground where he used to represent Wales under-21s.

Quick, passing football in the Stones’ half was difficult to live with at times with Worgan called into action in just the second minutes to push Scott Quigley’s strike over, Kelly with the defence-splitting ball.

Worgan got down sharply to deny Paul Rutherford on 10 minutes with the follow-up blocked on the line by Will De Havilland.

Soon after Worgan made a brilliant save to keep out from Pearson’s header, with a goal looking a certainty.

Big Quigley sent a header against the bar midway through the half but then Maidstone, with a change in system that pushed Alex Wynter into midfield, began to nullify Wrexham and get on the ball themselves.

With Wynter, Stuart Lewis and Phillips, on his full debut, working hard to knock the hosts out of their stride in the middle, the Stones also went on to enjoy some good possession.

But the hosts don’t boat the tightest defence in the National League for nothing and the improvement didn’t translate to chances.

A superb challenge on the touchline by Phillips set up United’s first real opening eight minutes into the second half, the former Palace man then crossing for Wynter who headed over.

Phillips was it again just past the hour mark, showing excellent determination to win the ball in midfield and free Loza whose pull-back was fired over by Blair Turgott.

Worgan came to Maidstone’s aid in the last 20 minutes, sticking out a foot to deny Quigley from Kevin Roberts’ pass.

But he was the man penalised for the free-kick leading to Wrexham’s 75th-minute opener.

He did well to come out of his area and mop up the danger on the byline but referee Matthew Donohue surprisingly blew for a foul, a good few seconds later.

Kelly played it in and Pearson’s thumping header found the net.

Alex Finney’s deflected strike went over in added time as Maidstone pushed for a leveller.

Maidstone: Worgan, Hare, De Havilland, Wynter, Finney, Anderson, Lewis, Phillips (Luer 77mins), Turgott (Wraight 84mins), Loza (Sam-Yorke 70mins), Lafayette. Subs not used: Prestedge, Paxman, Wraight, Luer.

Attendance: 4,443.