Joe Pigott’s second-half penalty gave Maidstone victory at Barrow.

United stood up impressively to the hosts, ending their unbeaten home record, and had chances to win by more.

One goal did the job, though, with Jay Saunders’ side climbing back into the National League play-off places.

Maidstone made one change to the side who drew with Gateshead, Jack Richards coming in for Zavon Hines who picked up his fifth booking of the season last weekend.

New Barrow boss Micky Moore is attempting to change the way the side play after the direct ways of former manager Paul Cox.

They did offer a bit more football but it’s still Cox’s side, a big, physical team more suited to route one and they looked at their most dangerous when they got the ball forward quickly to big men Byron Harrison and Jordan White.

Magnus Okuonghae stuck out a foot to block from Harrison early on while the chance of the half also fell to Harrison, who chested down a long ball and beat Alex Wynter to get through on goal but Lee Worgan made a comfortable save.

Maidstone had the ball in the net in the 13th minute after a mix-up in the home defence saw goalkeeper Joel Dixon come rushing out of his goal but Pigott’s strike, after good work by Johan ter Horst was ruled out for offside.

Pigott was a willing worker but generally didn’t get much change out of Barrow’s giant defence, while referee Richardson was in no rush to help him, turning down several free-kick appeals.

It was Pigott who went closest for Maidstone in the first half, a header from Richards’ free-kick landing on the roof of the net.

There was one more reasonable chance for Barrow before the break, Chris Clements finding Harrison, who curled wide.

Maidstone took the lead seven minutes into the second half.

Ter Horst was brought down by keeper Dixon as he broke into the box - Richards doing well in the build-up - and Pigott coolly sent the Barrow stopper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Richards was inches away from meeting a terrific Seth Twumasi cross soon after, then Pigott went close with a header from a Reece Prestedge centre.

An even better chance fell United’s way midway through the half as Pigott squared for ter Horst who blazed over, then Jai Reason hit the post from another Twumasi cross.

The Barrow response wasn’t happening and when ter Horst beat the offside trap Maidstone had another opportunity but the shot didn’t trouble Dixon.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Anderson, Okuonghae, Wynter, Lewis, Prestedge, Reason, ter Horst (Muldoon 86mins), Richards (Wraight 79mins). Subs not used: Finney, Paxman, Taylor.

Attendance: 1,097 (60 away).