Maidstone lost at home to National League relegation rivals Hartlepool.

Michael Woods gave Pools a half-time lead and added a late penalty.

Ross Lafayette replied in injury time but Stones couldn’t force an equaliser.

Jay Saunders made two changes to the side beaten at Wrexham on Saturday, with Greg Luer handed his first start up front in place of Jamar Loza while Jai Reason returned from injury for Michael Phillips.

It had been pouring down for most of the day but Stones’ 3G pitch came into its own, with the game never in doubt.

That was a relief to more than 200 Pools fans who’d travelled down from the north east but also gave about 80 Tranmere supporters, who’d seen their game at Dover rained off, the chance to take in a match before heading home.

Both teams looked committed to attack in an end-to-end start that wasn’t without its mistakes.

Maidstone got in good positions numerous times but their crossing or final pass often let them down, although they did have several good chances.

A couple fell to Blair Turgott with the game still goalless, the first one blocked after Josh Hare fed Lafayette up the line and then when a loose Pools pass sent him through one-on-one but the defence recovered.

Then, at one down late in the half, Pools keeper Scott Loach made excellent saves from Joe Anderson’s cracking half-volley and a fierce Stuart Lewis strike, following a one-two with Luer on the edge of the area.

Pools had threatened in the early stages with Jake Cassidy flicking the ball wide from Woods’ cross when well placed to score and then when Lee Worgan denied Lewis Hawkins.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute after a nice move around the edge of the Stones box.

It ended with Josh Hawkes’ clever pass playing in Rhys Oates and while his shot was saved, Woods finished the loose ball.

Hawkes flashed a good chance wide for Pools just before the hour mark.

That was followed by a golden opening for Maidstone when Luer beat the offside trap from Lafayette’s flick but Loach was sharply off his line to deny him.

Pools looked set to make it two midway through the half when substitute Devante Rodney ran on to a pass and rounded Worgan but Finney got back to make the block.

Back came the Stones and from the third of four successive corners, Alex Wynter’s header was blocked on the line.

There was concern for Will De Havilland with the Stones defender down for five minutes in the Pools box after a horrible landing after contesting a header.

Pools were sharper after the restart and doubled their lead in the 89th minute with Woods sending Worgan the wrong way from the spot after a foul by Wynter on Cassidy.

Maidstone replied in the first of seven added minutes.

A corner was partially cleared with Lewis sending the ball back into the box for Lafayette to turn home.

Wynter was then inches away from a last-gasp equaliser.

Maidstone: Worgan, Hare, De Havilland (Paxman 84mins), Wynter, Finney, Anderson, Lewis, Reason, Turgott (Loza 78mins), Lafayette, Luer (Sam-Yorke 65mins). Subs not used: Twumasi, Phillips. Attendance: 2,559 (209 away).