Maidstone clinched a National League South play-off place with a 2-1 victory at St Albans on Saturday.

United needed just a point to ensure a top-five finish but left with three thanks to Joe Healy and a second-half winner from Alex Flisher.

Callum Driver and Healy were back after missing the Easter Monday defeat at Chelmsford while there was a welcome return as a second-half substitute for Charles Banya after a month out recovering from concussion.

An open game promised goals and Maidstone, having already seen Alex Akrofi hit keeper Joe Welch’s legs when through one-on-one and looking good to score, took the lead after only eight minutes.

Alex Flisher hurled in a long throw and after a bit of head tennis, Healy turned the ball home after the impressive Dan Sweeney nodded goalwards.

Lee Worgan did well to get behind Louie Theophanous’ fierce 30-yard drive - the Stones goalie saving with his legs after seeing it late.

It was the second time Theophanous had tried his luck from outside the area and it was third time lucky for the lively striker as St Albans levelled after 37 minutes.

A long throw from Lee Chappell was only partially dealt with and when it dropped to Theophanous on the edge of the box, a brilliant first-time strike flew past Worgan.

Stones looked to use the pace of Akrofi but it was St Albans on top at the end of the first half, Michael Thalassitis glancing a header wide from Chappell’s inswinging free-kick.

Maidstone regained the lead six minutes into the second half.

Healy’s header from Karagiannis’ right-wing cross looked to be drifting wide but Flisher arrived sharply at the far post to bundle home.

Karagiannis was a growing influence down the right, Akrofi almost capitalising on another cross after keeper Welch and defender Emmnanuel Udoji got in each other’s way, while Charlie MacDonald went close with a header from a corner at the other end.

There was a bit of luck for Maidstone moving into the last 20 minutes when Harry Anderson cut inside and saw his shot come back off the post, MacDonald offside when hitting the bar from the rebound.

Stones substitute Jay May’s header from a Flisher corner brought a flying save from Welch as Stones threatened a third, Driver then thumping a volley over.

Sweeney completed an excellent afternoon’s work by tracking back to unload Anderson as he went to shoot.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Davies, Parry, Rogers, Karagiannis (Banya 74mins), Healy, Akrofi (May 68mins), Sweeney, Flisher. Subs not used: Taylor, Paxman, Birchall.

Attendance: 852.