Alex Flisher scored the first goal of his comeback to fire Maidstone to National League South victory over St Albans on Saturday.

Substitute Flisher had been on the pitch only four minutes when he crashed home the only goal of the game from Jack Paxman’s pass.

It was Stones' fifth league win in a row and a sixth clean sheet on the spin, moving them up to fourth in the table.

Maidstone could have been ahead inside two minutes with Manny Parry’s header dropping inches wide after Adam Birchall flicked on a free-kick from Matt Bodkin.

Stones were largely on top early on, playing more of the neat football that’s fast becoming their trademark in this division, threatening again with a Joe Healy header.

But the visitors steadily grew into the game and it took an excellent save with his feet from Lee Worgan to deny Louie Theopanous after Manny Parry was caught out by Luke Allen.

Stones’ Adam Birchall fired over after Alex Osborn collected a lovely crossfield ball from Callum Driver, then Healy flashed a header wide from Bodkin’s centre.

Late in the half, Driver’s fierce low effort was parried by Joe Welch, the linesman’s flag denying Jay May following in as the first half ended goalless.

A slow start to the second half saw Worgan untroubled by tame efforts from Graeme Montgomery and Allen and with St Albans proving hard to break down, it was time for Flisher with about 20 minutes left.

He soon made an impact, driving the ball across Welch and into the far corner on 75 minutes after superb work by Paxman to win possession and work the opening.

There was a late scare for Maidstone when substitute Harry Crawford’s effort dropped on to the bar, with Parry clearing the danger.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Paxman, Bodkin, Healy, May, Birchall (Rogers 85mins), Osborn (Flisher 71mins). Subs not used: Watt, Akrofi, Taylor.

Attendance: 2,103.