Joe Pigott’s free-kick gave Maidstone their seventh away win in a row in all competitions.

Pigott’s free-kick gave high-flying Stones a half-time lead before a big defensive effort held off the struggling Gulls after the break.

Ollie Muldoon came in for suspended FA Cup hero Delano Sam-Yorke as United set about extending their superb away form.

There was a bit of pace in the Gulls side, Michael Efete and Liam Davis with a couple of lively runs from deep.

And it was Efete who gave an assured Stones defence their only real scare of the first half by forcing a smart double save from Lee Worgan.

Early chances for Maidstone saw Stuart Lewis denied by Vinent Dorel and Pigott head wide from Seth Twumasi’s cross, then Pigott played in Zavon Hines whose effort went just past the far post.

The opening goal came in the 31st minute with Pigott brought down 20 yards out and bending a terrific free-kick in at the near post.

Torquay made a double change at the break and enjoyed a lively start to the second half.

Worgan, having got little distance on a punch from Luke Young’s free-kick, got in the way of the follow-up and was then down well from substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams’ strike.

The Stones keeper was soon the deck, looking in some trouble and receiving a couple of minutes’ treatment but carrying on.

It’s just as well he was OK because midway through the half he made a brilliant save from Josh McQuoid in a one-on-one after Myrie-Williams led a lightning counter-attack.

Torquay continued to make the second-half running with Maidstone’s defence kept busy and Worgan having to deal with plenty of crosses in tricky conditions.

The midfield more than played their part, too, in particular Lewis, while striker Pigott was back in his own area winning a couple of crucial headers as the clock ticked down.

Having been on the back foot for much of the half, substitute Jamar Loza went close to a breakaway second.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Anderson, Wynter, Finney, Prestedge, Muldoon (Loza 60mins), Lewis, Reason, Hines (Hare 87mins), Pigott. Subs not used: Okuonghae, Phipps, ter Horst.

Attendance: 1,799 (234 away).