Maidstone United manager George Elokobi on the 1-0 National League South defeat by Hemel Hempstead

George Elokobi felt Maidstone played well in defeat after seeing their unbeaten run halted by play-off rivals Hemel Hempstead.

United suffered their first loss in seven National League South games on Saturday, with the Tudors winning 1-0 at the Gallagher Stadium.

Millar Matthews-Lewis’ overhead kick in first-half stoppage time settled the match as Maidstone tasted defeat for the first time in nearly two months.

They dominated large parts of the game but couldn’t find a way past a resilient Hemel defence and remain 10th in the table, four points off the play-off places.

“I can’t fault the effort of the players,” said Maidstone manager Elokobi. “I thought it was a good performance.

“However, we have to learn. I think we lost the game from one restart. We didn’t win the first contact, nor the second phase, and that was disappointing to see.

“But I thought the players were terrific in their attitude, especially in the second half, where we’ve taken the game to them. I can’t remember what Harness (Stones goalkeeper Nathan Harness) did in terms of making a save.

“However, it’s about being in the right areas, decision-making in the final third in terms of whether to have a shot or slide a team-mate in who is in a better position.

“I thought the players gave it their all, so I can’t fault their commitment.”

Maidstone started well but conceded the only goal when Hemel won the knockdown from a free-kick, allowing Matthews-Lewis to pounce for the sixth-placed visitors.

Report: Maidstone 0-1 Hemel Hempstead

“Goals change games,” said Elokobi.

“From my watch, there were three minutes left in added time of the first half and as a team you’ve got to see those minutes out and come in 0-0 for us to make sure we try and tweak things a