A strong second-half performance couldn’t save Maidstone from a 1-0 defeat at Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

They conceded the only goal shortly before half-time to suffer a third league defeat in four matches, although they remain second in National South.

Stones boss Jay Saunders handed debuts to Vas Karagiannis and Dan Sweeney, Joe Healy declared himself fit after a groin injury and Tom Mills returned from suspension at left-back.

Sweeney showed some nice touches in a steady start but it was Hayes who were first to threaten with Omari Alexander-Salmon’s 20-yard drive tipped over by Lee Worgan.

Emmanuel Monthe should have done better with a header from a corner to the far post as Hayes enjoyed the best of a scruffy half.

They were comfortably on top when a Stones break saw Bobby-Joe Taylor play in Karagiannis whose decent strike was held by Dan Lincoln.

Sweeney, under pressure from the Hayes centre-half, couldn’t get enough on his shot on the edge of the six-yard box after Jay May flicked on James Rogers’ free-kick.

And moments later Maidstone trailed as Elliot Benyon got in between Jamie Coyle and Manny Parry and beat Worgan from just inside the area after 39 minutes.

Maidstone enjoyed their best spell of the half after going behind, getting wideman Taylor and Karagiannis into the game.

Taylor twice went close from 20 yards, his first strike parried and the second swerving inches over via a deflection that was missed by the referee who awarded a goal-kick.

Ex-Hayes man Karagiannis blazed over after a lovely one-two with Mills split the home defence and seconds later saw his cross nudged wide by May as Stones made a bright start to the second half.

It was all Maidstone for a spell, with Callum Driver’s cross just evading Sweeney and Stones unable to convert the loose ball, then Sweeney freed Taylor whose fierce effort was held at the second attempt.

Back came Hayes with Colin Mogoya’s strike from the edge of the box held by Worgan, then Taylor did well to track back and put a stop to Matt Jay’s strong run.

Karagiannis, popping up on the left, continued to look positive in possession and after swapping passes with Mills once again, his ball across the face of goal so nearly forced an own goal.

Substitute Matt Bodkin lost his man from a corner but headed wide from a corner moving into the last 10 minutes.

Benyon then saw a half-volley turned wide by Worgan, who went on to save Elliott Simpson’s 20-yarder after the corner was partially cleared.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Rogers, Taylor, Healy (Bodkin 75mins), May (Akrofi 72mins), Sweeney, Karagiannis (Banya 83mins). Subs not used: Paxman, Collin.

Attendance: 302