Maidstone closed the gap on Dorking to three points with victory over Bath.

Jack Barham and Joan Luque struck at the Gallagher, with Elliott Frear pulling one back to set up a tense finish.

But the Stones held on and enjoyed an added bonus with National South leaders Dorking beaten 3-1 by Tonbridge.

Barham - rested at Concord last week - marked his return with a goal as Maidstone led at half-time.

It came three minutes before the break, with Booty’s deep free-kick reaching Luque, who played the ball across the face of goal for Barham to finish.

Earlier, Maidstone had started like a train and it looked as though Bath - 14th in the table - might be in for a long afternoon.

Romans keeper Ryan Clarke made a good save from a Luque free-kick, that looked in all the way, in the opening minutes as United looked to turn their dominance into a lead.

Luque bent the ball past the far post after cutting inside from Regan Booty’s switch and Barham headed over Roarie Deacon’s cross when well-placed when but Bath were a threat on the counter, getting in behind the Stones defence several times.

Joe Ellul made a key interception with Callum Rowe poised to pounce from Jordan Dyer’s cross, Ben Seymour fired past the far post from a neat Alex Fletcher pass down the inside right channel and Yusuf Mersin - deputising for the suspended Tom Hadler - made an excellent low save from Tom Smith.

There was a big blow for the Stones just after the hour mark when key centre-back Ellul - fresh from signing a new contract - went off holding his hamstring.

Maidstone haven’t lost game in 90 minutes when he’s played this season and they can only hope it’s nothing major.

Gavin Hoyte moved across to cover, with Deacon dropping to right-back in a reshuffle that saw Christie Pattisson introduced on the right flank.

The second half was hard work and it looked like Maidstone might have to grind it out against a City side who were better than their league position suggests.

But the second goal Maidstone needed arrived in the 75th minute with Luque following up to find the bottom corner after Sam Corne’s effort was saved.

Mersin made a fine reaction save from Cody Cooke’s header to deny Bath a quick reply, while Stones substitute Mo Bettamer saw a header hit the bar moments later.

There was a lifeline for Bath six minutes from time when Frear fired home on the half-volley.

City pushed hard for a draw, testing Mersin, but Maidstone got the job done.

Maidstone: Mersin, Hoyte, Fowler, Ellul (Pattisson 61mins), Binnom-Williams, Booty, Corne, Phillips (Odusanya 46mins), Deacon, Luque, Barham (Bettamer 78mins). Subs not used: Earle, Gurung.

Referee: Tom Danaher.

Attendance: 2,460