Harry Wheeler changed all but three of his side but Maidstone lost again.

Their poor form continued with a 1-0 defeat at Barrow, who took the points with Tyler Smith’s second-half goal.

He punished a spill by debutant keeper Ross Worner, who had earlier kept United in the game with a number of fine saves.

Barrow had Rhys Norrington-Davies sent off with six minutes left but survived with 10 men.

Wheeler made eight changes following the FA Cup defeat by Oldham, including debuts for Worner, Charlie Wassmer and Jake Robinson.

Alex Finney was the biggest casualty, not even making the bench.

They lined up a 3-4-1-2 formation with George McLennan and Wassmer either side of Rob Swaine in a back three.

There were a few early nerves in the new-look Stones defence with Barrow fancying their chances of getting in behind, be it balls over the top or using their wing-backs.

The Stones got in a mess from a long ball in just the fourth minute with Jacob Blyth going through one-on-one but new keeper Worner made a superb double save, somehow getting to his feet to making the second stop.

Maidstone looked disjointed - hardly surprising given all the changes - but grew into the match and went close with a double chance of their own in the 19th minute.

First, Robinson’s header from Sean Shields’ cross was well saved by Joel Dixon and Jake Cassidy’s follow-up hit the post.

Swaine had a header saved shortly after as Maidstone enjoyed a good little spell but Barrow, who’d suffered after losing central midfielder and captain Jason Taylor, picked up again.

Blyth was inches away from a connecting with a diving header and, at the end of the half, Worner made another excellent save after Smith collected Kemy Agustien’s pass and aimed for the far corner.

The Bluebirds went close in the opening stages of the second half, too, Blyth’s header from an Agustien free-kick hitting the post.

Maidstone were now playing into the wind and it was hard to get out of their half at times, with clearances holding up in the air.

Barrow pressure was growing and they took the lead in the 62nd minute after a move down the left.

The ball was moved inside with Worner spilling Agustien’s shot from the edge of the box and Smith followed in to finish the rebound.

Barrow were looking a good bet for more goals but there was a chance for the Stones when Robinson fired over after Barrow failed to deal with McLennan’s cross.

It was largely one-way traffic, though, and Rhys Turner should have made it two when set up by Smith.

Another nice move resulted in a fine save by Worner from Jack Hindle at the far post.

Moments later, in the 84th minute, Barrow were down to 10 men when Norrington-Davies was sent off for pulling down Stones substitute Elliott Romain as he raced in on goal.

Romain had certainly given Barrow something to think about, already taken out by Dan Jones just after coming on.

Maidstone: Worner, Wassmer (Romain 77mins), Swaine, McLennan, Shields, Phillips, Walton (Paxman 86mins), Wishart, Muldoon (Tajbakhsh 57mins), Robinson, Cassidy. Subs not used: De Havilland, Powell.

Attendance: 804 (21 away).