Maidstone’s National League South play-off hopes are back in the balance after losing at Weston.

The Stones, with manager George Elokobi missing the match through illness, were looking to move seven points clear of the Seagulls in the race for a top-seven finish.

But there’s now just a point between them - the sides seventh and eighth - after goals from Sam Pearson, Luke Coulson and Pedro Borges won it for the hosts.

United also had midfielder Jordan Higgs sent off before half-time, at 1-0 down, for denying a goalscoring opportunity although he could perhaps count himself unlucky.

Tayt Trusty came in for Bivesh Gurung in the only change to the starting XI who had won three successive games.

The Stones struggled get going in the Somerset sunshine with Weston comfortably the better side in the first half.

Skipper Coulson, the former Ebbsfleet and Dartford midfielder who scored an extraordinary goal from his own penalty box last weekend, was having another good day.

He made the Seagulls tick as they took the game to Maidstone, the hosts winning the midfield battle and working the ball into good crossing positions down both flanks but particularly down the left.

That was the source of Weston’s sixth-minute opener with play spread left to Coulson and when he picked out the overlapping run of Jordan Bastin, Pearson pounced for a neat finish at the near post.

Maidstone’s best opening of the first half came shortly after falling behind but Sol Wanjau-Smith, having been involved in the build-up, was denied by keeper Max Harris after getting in the box to meet Sam Corne’s cross.

Long clearances gave Aaron Blair something to chase, and he ran as hard as ever, but there was little happening for the visitors.

Weston had a second goal ruled out for a none-too-subtle push on Stones keeper Alexis Andre Jr from a Coulson, while the hosts felt they should have had a penalty when Ben Brookes nudged Pearson as he attacked a cross.

Maidstone were reduced to 10 men in the 43rd minute.

Referee Jonathan Maskrey was quick to pull out the red card after Higgs pulled back Pearson as he went in on goal.

He was still a fair way out and cover was coming across in the form of George Fowler, so it was perhaps harsh.

Charlie Seaman sent a 20-yard free-kick wide for 10 men in first-half stoppage time.

Maidstone forced five corners inside 10 minutes at the start of the second half but Weston, with their extra man, were dangerous on the counter-attack.

It was a balancing act for the 10 men of trying to get back in the game without over-committing in attack.

Andre Jr got down to his left to deny Will Dawes before the hour mark as the Seagulls looked for a second goal.

And shortly after Harris did enough to put off Stones skipper Sam Corne in the box, Joshua Seberry missed a free header at the back from a Coulson corner.

Blair continued to run his heart out for Maidstone and all the time it remained 1-0 there was still hope.

But it was game over in the 88th minute when Coulson’s deflected strike from outside the area beat Andre Jr.

Weston added a third in added time with Pearson and Coulson combining on the counter to set up Borges, who coolly slotted past Andre Jr.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Seaman, Fowler, Eweka, Brookes (Kyprianou 74mins), Trusty (Berkeley-Agyepong 66mins), Higgs, Corne, Leahy (Willis 79mins), Blair, Wanjau-Smith (Coulthirst 74mins). Subs not used: Holden.

Referee: Jonathan Maskrey.

Attendance: 1,337.