Alex Finney scored deep into injury time as Maidstone beat Chester at the Gallagher.

The match was in the fifth of seven added minutes when a Jai Reason corner broke to defender Finney who lashed home, sending United back into the play-off places.

Stones were unchanged from the midweek win at Halifax and made a confident start at the Gallagher.

They took the game to the National League strugglers and played some lovely football, with Zavon Hines’ fancy footwork causing plenty of problems.

Stuart Lewis went closest for the hosts in a goalless first half, a first-time strike from edge of the box hitting the post after Hines played a quick free-kick to Reason.

Tom Wraight worked Alex Lynch with an early free-kick and was involved in the build-up as Joe Pigott, while on the floor, managed to feed Hines, who fired over.

A nice move, started by Alex Wynter with a crossfield ball to Seth Twumasi, led to an another opening for the hard-working Hines, whose effort was well-saved by Alex Lynch.

Wraight dragged wide from Reason’s pass, with Lewis’ effort against the post coming at the end of the half.

Chester had their moments, too, big Ryan Astles missing at the far stick from Lucas Dawson’s free-kick and Ross Hannah wasting a good opening after running on to Jordan Archer’s flick, taking the shot too early.

They might have made more of a Lee Worgan fumble, the Stones keeper losing the ball just inside his area, but Alex Wynter blocked Archer’s strike.

Josh Hare hit the side-netting at the start of the second half while Pigott curled a free-kick inches over and bent the ball just past the far post from Wraight’s pass.

With keeper Lynch struggling with what looked like a groin injury he’d have had no chance with a low Hare strike that went throw a crowd of players and missed the far corner by a whisker.

Substitute Jamar Loza, Twumasi, Lewis, Hare and Hines combined neatly moving into the last 10 minutes, the move ending with Loza’s header saved by Lynch.

McCombe wasted a good chance for Chester and they paid the price when Finney grabbed United’s winner.

Maidstone: Worgan, Hare, Twumasi, Wynter, Finney, Lewis, Reason, Hines (Prestedge 90mins), Sam-Yorke, Pigott (ter Horst 90mins), Wraight (Loza 73mins). Subs not used: Muldoon, Anderson, ter Horst.

Attendance: 2,351 (116 away).