Maidstone conceded direct from a corner as their five-match unbeaten run ended at leaders Wealdstone.

Billy Clifford was the scorer and Jacob Mendy added a second before half-time, with Dan Wishart pulling a late goal back for the Stones.

Wealdstone had won their last five and were comfortably the better side, showing why they’re top of National League South a month into the season.

United made one change to the side who beat Chelmsford on Monday, skipper George Elokobi ruled out with a hamstring injury and replaced by Lewis Knight, who was making his first start.

There were a couple of openings for Wishart in the early stages, both from the edge of the box.

The first saw him collect Noah Chesmain’s pass and force a good low save from Aston Oxborough and the second saw his half-volley flash past the post when picked out by Matt McClure.

But largely the first half was tough going for the visitors who struggled to get hold of the ball and generally gave it back pretty quickly when they did.

Wealdstone were winning the midfield battle and took the lead in bizarre circumstances in the 23rd minute with Clifford’s corner went straight in.

United weren’t in the game but just when it looked as though they would get through to the break only a goal behind, the hosts doubled their lead in the final minute of the first half.

This time, the ball dropped to Mendy on the edge of the box and he drilled into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Maidstone responded by making a double change at the break, Nana Kyei and debutant Ayuk Tarh on for Jonny Edwards and Justin Amaluzor.

But Wealdstone remained on top with Clifford going close before a lovely bit of skill in the box by Ross Lafayette to turn Knight saw Dennon Lewis denied by the legs of Jake Cole.

Wishart had a header saved from Kyei’s cross just before the hour mark.

But it took a great block from Chesmain to deny Nicholas Arnold from Michee Efete’s cross, that after Tarh ran into trouble in midfield, allowing Wealdstone to counter.

Knight blocked from Green after Lafayette, Efete and Jake Sheppard combined, with Wealdstone looking like a side who’d won five in a row.

And it was Knight with another intervention when Lewis picked out Sheppard in acres of the space at the far post, the big man doing well to divert over the bar.

Maidstone pulled a goal back five minutes from time when Wishart finished Gavin Hoyte’s cross at the back post for his fourth goal of the season.

Saidou Khan had a late chance to level but cleared the bar.

Maidstone: Cole, Hoyte, Knight, Johnson, Chesmain, Corne, Khan, Amaluzor (Tarh 46mins), McClure, Wishart, Edwards (Kyei 46mins). Subs not used: Akanbi, Lewington, Allen.

Attendance: 1,066.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent