A ‘bizarre’ own goal changed everything for Tonbridge in their New Year’s day defeat at Maidstone.

Angels boss Jay Saunders had seen little between the sides until a mix-up between Kodi Lyons-Foster and goalkeeper Jonny Henly led to the opening goal.

A Sam Corne penalty followed before half-time as Tonbridge, rattled by the own goal, lost their way.

They finally cleared their heads after a shaky start to the second half, taking the game to Maidstone, but the home side defended their 2-0 lead effectively.

“I just think that little five-minute spell has killed us,” said Saunders.

“There wasn’t a lot in it and then we had that bizarre own goal and we wobbled.

“We’ve given away a needless penalty and once it was 2-0, they know it here and they made it hard for us.

“We couldn’t get a flow in the game and you have to give them credit.

“They defended well and we haven’t asked enough questions.

“The first goal really affected us because before that we were quite composed on the ball.

Report: Maidstone 2-0 Tonbridge

“I need to see it again but I think it’s bad communication between Kodi and Jonny, it hits Kodi on the head and hits Jonny on the head and goes in.

“It’s a real kick in the teeth at that point.

“We needed to ride the storm for five or 10 minutes and get through to half-time but we didn’t do that and the first 10 minutes of the second half we were all over the place.

“It’s a silly penalty to give away for the second goal and it’s tough from there because Maidstone are very disciplined defensively.

“They’re good at what they do and we couldn’t break them down.

“You need a bit of luck, something to go for you, but any time we got a shot or a cross in, there was a block or a touch on it. Sometimes you have to say fair play to the opposition.”

It was just a third defeat in 16 games for Tonbridge, with the result leaving them 10th in National League South, five points off the play-off places.

Saunders said: “I don’t want to go too harsh on the boys because we’ve been on an unbelievable run.

“But I look at today and it reminded me of how we were two months ago when we conceded a couple of poor goals and didn’t have that final bit at the other end.”