A hotly-disputed goal after 16 minutes was all that separated the two sides at the end of this crucial league clash at Calthorpe Park.

Fleet Keeper, Justin Gray looked to have been impeded as he tried to parry a long throw-in from the left. But referee John Busby let the goal stand after over-ruling his assistant, who had immediately flagged for the infringement.

Coming after Saturday's win at league leaders Dartford, the result was a serious dent to promotion hopes for Andy Sinton's side.

With only one defeat since November and having won 10 of its previous 12 league games, the former football league club were always going to provide a severe test for Fleet, and so it proved, with the visitors looking sharper and dominating in mid-field for long periods of the game.

The only goal came after a period of pressure by Maidstone, with wing-back Craig Roser's long throw-ins proving a serious threat to Fleet. After Gray failed to gather from one such throw, Ryan Royston was able to tap in from close-range.

Fleet rallied well and immediately created a chance when Jermaine Hamilton broke through. But the mid-fielder's shot from the edge of the 18 yard box  failed to hit the target.

Five minutes later Adam Wallace looked to have scored the equaliser when his firm header from a corner beat Maidstone keeper, Pat Mullin, but was headed away off the line by a defender. 

Fleet re-started brightly after the break, but still found it hard to keep possession in mid-field. Gray was kept busy and on 58 minutes saved brilliantly from Stones striker, Alex Tiesse from close range.

Two minutes later Fleet's best chance fell to Steve defender Hemmings, again from a corner. But this time the powerful header crashed against the bar, with Mullin again beaten.

Fleet continued to press for an equaliser but failed to create any further chances.