Dorking Wanderers 1 Maidstone United 0 match report: Stones lose to Josh Taylor's second-half effort in front of record crowd at Meadowbank

Maidstone United lost their top-of-the-table National League South clash to leaders Dorking on Saturday.

A second-half strike from Josh Taylor proved to be the difference between the two teams in front of a record crowd at Dorking, who are now six points clear at the summit.

Marc White’s men had the first opportunity with three minutes played as Darren Oldaker sent a free-kick over from a central position.

Three minutes later, the Stones, backed by strong away support of a 2,898-strong crowd at Meadowbank, had the ball in the net. But ex-Dorking striker Barham had slotted home from an offside position, latching onto Roarie Deacon’s through-ball.

Dorking again went close in the 12th minute, with skipper James McShane glancing a header inches wide of Yusuf Mersin’s left-hand post.

Alfie Rutherford then hit the post for Wanderers from a Matt Briggs cutback after a flowing move.

But that run proved to be Briggs’ last action of the afternoon. He was stretchered off on 21 minutes with an injury and he was replaced by former Maidstone, Dover and Ebbsfleet man Bobby-Joe Taylor.

Just after the half-hour mark, Dorking’s bold approach to leave three up as they defended a corner almost paid dividends. But Rutherford could only force a simple save out of Mersin when, perhaps, he had better options available.

At the other end, Barham appeared to have found space inside the home penalty box, only for two successive shots at goal to be charged down.

Top scorer Joan Luque had two chances in quick succession for Maidstone shortly before half-time.

He headed captain Gavin Hoyte’s right-wing cross towards goal but was denied by Dan Lincoln, before Lincoln had to be alert to parry the 16-goal winger’s free-kick away as the game remained