Maidstone are out of the National League bottom four after a classic away performance at Barnet.

They soaked up pressure and hit the Bees on the break to deadly effect.

Blair Turgott’s 12th goal of the season set them on their way and substitute Gold Omotayo added a late second as United earned their first league win in six games.

The Stones were missing Rob Swaine (calf) and Jack Doyle (ankle) so Alex Finney moved back into central defence and there was a chance for George McLennan at left-back.

It was Michael Phillips’ turn to play as a makeshift right-back and Maidstone also welcomed back Jack Powell in midfield.

As expected, Barnet made the most of the first-half running but rarely caused any problems.

They spent a lot of time in the Stones half but looked ineffective with John Still urging his side to improve their movement and get their passing going.

It was all too comfortable for a Stones defence who had only one scare when Cheye Alexander sold McLennan a dummy on the edge of the box and went for goal, but Grant Smith got down well to his left.

Maidstone, with Powell and Jack Paxman showing good touches and vision, were sharp on the break, looking for Turgott whenever possible.

It was Paxman who had the visitors’ first decent chance after robbing Charlee Adams in midfield.

He went through and looked a good bet to score but a deflection took the sting out of his strike and Mark Cousins made an easy save.

Paxman went on to feed Turgott whose ball across the face of goal just needed a touch.

Maidstone took the lead in the 28th minute and again it came from another counter-attack.

Phillips sent the the ball forwards to Jake Cassidy who played in Turgott.

He still had a bit to do but there’s only one outcome when Turgott goes through one-on-one this season and he beat Cousins.

The Stones almost had a second just before the break.

Paxman sent Turgott away again but his curler, bound for the top corner, was clawed away by Cousins, who also denied Elliott Romain seconds later.

Barnet made a double change at the break but there was no obvious improvement and Maidstone might have doubled their lead when Romain teed up Paxman on the edge of the box but he went for placement and Cousins made a comfortable stop.

The Bees again had plenty of possession but were growing frustrated, with poor final balls and wayward shooting as Maidstone stayed nice and solid in front of them.

The threat remained on the break as Paxman’s crossfield ball freed Turgott, only this time the chance was snuffed out.

Turgott led the next counter, releasing substitute Omotayo, who perhaps should have scored, but Cousins stuck out a foot.

Omotayo had his goal moments later, though, as Maidstone made it 2-0 in the 80th minute.

Powell did well to slow down a break after finding himself short of options following McLennan’s burst down the left.

He eventually fed Cassidy whose shot was parried and Omotayo pounced on the loose ball a yard out.

Maidstone: Smith, Phillips, De Havilland, Finney, McLennan, Powell, Walton, Romain (Durojaiye 60mins), Paxman (Omotayo 72mins), Turgott, Cassidy. Subs not used: Strizovic, Twumasi, Muldoon.

Attendance: 1,424 (309 away)