Maidstone United 2 Kingstonian 1

Kingstonian pushed Ryman Division One South title favourites Maidstone United all the way before slipping to a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

The Stones needed three points to stay on top after their defeat by Met Police last weekend.

But, despite being urged on by a large, partisan crowd, they struggled to overcome a well-organised Ks defence - led by skipper Simon Sobihy and Tommy Moorhouse - who soaked up plenty of pressure.

Aaron Lacy's free -kick led to the breakthrough goal on the half-hour mark and that settled the home side's nerves.

But Ks caught Stones cold right after the interval with a penetrating run from in-form striker Bobby Traynor leading to an own goal.

Apart from a goal-line clearance from Wes Goggin, Ks looked comfortable for most of the second half.

But they were denied a point six minutes from time by Ryan Royston's sweet header that kept the Stones above Tooting & Mitcham on goal difference.

With a game in hand on their rivals, Maidstone could all-but secure the title if they win at Ashford Town on Tuesday.

Maidstone took the game to Ks from the kick-off, Luke Rowland's second minute lob intended for free-scoring striker Mo Takaloo being gathered by Luke Garrard.

Then Moorhouse denied Takaloo on the edge of his box and calmly nodded the ball back to Garrard.

Ks' first attack saw Simon Huckle's through ball league to an accidental collision between Goggin and keeper Pat Mullin, but both played on with no ill-effect.

After 16 minutes, Nick Rundell's free kick from way out on the right flashed across the face of the Stones goal.

A minute later, former Carshalton winger Nick Hegley went around the back of Ks' defence, but Scott Corbett cut the ball out for a corner.

Hegley then burst down the left into Ks' box, but Garrard prevented the opening goal with a superbly-timed diving save at his feet.

David Shin then started a good move for Ks and Goggin set up Neil Lampton in space, but he blasted the ball across the face of the home goal.

Maidstone took the lead in the 30th minute. Lacy's long high free kick was met with a hopeful header from Errison Ahwan on the edge of the box.

But with Garrard in no-man's land, Scott Corbett put through his own net.

Takaloo should have made it 2-0 in the final minute of the half when he was free in the Ks box, but he blasted wide.

Instead, you could hear a pin drop when Ks equalised in the 47th minute.

Lampton set Traynor free down the right and his far post cross-cum shot caused confusion in the home box, with centre-back Mario McNish sliding the ball past Mullin for the game's second own goal.

McNish nearly made immediate amends when he met Lacy's corner at the far post, but he headed the wrong side of the far post.

Then Craig Roser's cross fell to Ahwan close in, but he got his overhead kick all wrong.

Lampton blasted over for Ks in the 58th minute after being set free down the right by Corbett.

After 67 minutes, Takaloo found the net with a free kick for Maidstone, but the referee deemed it too early and ordered a retake, which Ahwan drove into the defensive wall.

Then an Ahwan header from Lacy's corner beat Garrard, but Goggin - hugging a post - swept the ball away.

With 15 minutes to go skipper Sam Tydeman's free kick found Takaloo on the far post but he headed over.

Sub Alex Tiesse's pacy runs clearly tired the Ks defence.

With 10 minutes left, Tiesse's shot was blocked but rebounded to Royston, who fired over.

Takaloo then turned in the Ks box, but drove his shot wide.

In the 83rd minute, a long ball found Rowland out on the left. His looping header found Royston and the Ks penalty spot and he picked his spot to nod the ball past a full-stretch Garrard.

That was harsh on Ks' defenders, but the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

With two minutes left, McNish did well to whip Moorhouse's long ball out of Traynor's path.

Then Rundell played a free kick into the home box in stoppage time, but Maidstone's defence mopped up.

Kingstonian: Garrard, Reeks, Rundell, Moorhouse, Sobihy (captain), Corbett (Francis 69), Lampton, Goggin, Traynor, Huckle, Shin (Summers 79).

Yellow cards: Corbett, Huckle, Moorhouse.

Attendance: 603.

Ks, who are 14th in the 22-team division, will hope to finish their Ryman League Division One South programme on a high when they host Burgess Hill, who are one place and two points ahead, next Saturday.