Alan Walker admitted he would have been “livid” had Maidstone’s controversial match-winning penalty at Harlow on Tuesday been given against his side.

The club’s joint-manager looked on with a mixture of relief and bewilderment when referee Robert Mackay pointed to the spot after what appeared to be an innocuous challenge by Harlow defender Laurie Stewart on Nathan Paul.

Lloyd Blackman netted the last-minute penalty which earned Stones their first win since before Christmas.

Walker added: “It’s an old football cliche that these things even themselves up during the course of a season.

“But I would have been livid if a decision like that had gone against us because it was so harsh.

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. A few minutes earlier we had a stonewall penalty appeal rejected so maybe the referee was feeling guilty.

“Nevertheless, the three points are most welcome and we need to build on that.”

Stones visit Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Andy Walker has a no better than 50-50 chance of playing after sustaining a groin injury on Tuesday.

Defender Ashley Ulph, who was replaced early on by James Peacock on Tuesday after sustaining a knee injury, has already been ruled out. Left-back Roland Edge is doubtful with a pulled muscle.