Maidstone were denied victory in an extraordinary finish at Worthing having earlier lost a two-goal lead.

Dajon Golding opened the scoring and TJ Bramble made it 2-0 from the penalty spot as United took charge at Woodside Road.

Harry Ransom pulled a goal back in first-half injury time and ex-Tonbridge man Nicky Wheeler scored a late equaliser.

Stones substitute Josh Redfearn appeared to have won it for Maidstone in the 93rd minute.

But celebrations were cut short when Temi Babalola made it 3-3 from Worthing’s next attack.

The Stones remain unbeaten in National League South but left the field with a sense of what might have been.

George Elokobi named the same starting XI for the third game running as Maidstone looked to continue their good start to the campaign.

They arrived on the back of three successive clean sheets, while the hosts hadn’t scored in their last three games.

Golding opened the scoring in just the 10th minute with his second goal of the season.

Nathan Harness’ long clearance got Maidstone on the attack.

Jephte Tanga’s cross was cut out but the attempted clearance hit Stones striker Moore and Golding pounced on the loose ball.

Jack Spong went close with an overhead-kick for the Rebels before Maidstone doubled their lead in the 22nd minute.

A foul by Joe Colbran on Tanga gave United their fourth penalty of the season.

After misses from John Gilbert, Sam Corne and Moore, up stepped Bramble, who coolly sent Seb Stacey the wrong way.

Last-man George Fowler saved the day with a superb block after ex-Ebbsfleet forward Nathan Odokenyero latched on to a loose header from Leo Hamblin and rounded keeper Harness.

Maidstone had Harness booked for timewasting and Golding cautioned for kicking the ball away in quick succession.

And when Golding conceded another foul, it was clear he was on thin ice with referee Jack Bloxham.

Tanga saw an effort parried after getting the better of Colbran, and his follow-up was smothered, as Maidstone looked for a third, then Golding sent a header on to the roof of the net.

That was his final act before making way for Riley Court, a sensible move to protect him from a second yellow card.

Bramble went close from Court’s lay-off before Worthing pulled a goal back in first-half added time, Ransom nodding home from close range after Maidstone failed to deal with a free-kick.

Worthing had early second-half momentum but there was a chance for the Stones when Gilbert sent a free-kick narrowly wide after a foul on Bramble.

There were openings at either end as Harness gathered Odokonyero’s effort at the second attempt, under pressure from Odei Martin Sorondo, while Moore fired wide for the Stones after Stacey came out of his goal to challenge the striker.

Ex-Stones man Razzaq Coleman De-Graft forced a couple of saves from Harness, then Odokonyero fired wide after being played in on goal midway through the half.

The Rebels continued to push hard as the rain came down, Harness equal to Sam Beard’s 20-yard drive.

Maidstone brought on an extra defender to see the game out with David Agbontohoma replacing Sam Corne.

But the Rebels’ second-half pressure paid off five minutes from time when Wheeler found himself in space to convert a cross from the right.

Substitute Babalola twice went close before a late twist saw Redfearn beat Stacey with a deflected strike in the third of five added minutes.

That wasn’t the end of the drama, however, as the Rebels went straight up the other end and levelled through Babalola from close range.

Worthing: Stacey, Colbran, Cook, Ransom, Beard, Packham (Burgess 67mins), Sorondo (Babalola 88mins), Spong, Coleman De-Graft, Odokenyero (Dolaghan 63mins), Wheeler. Subs not used: Seymour, Frimpong, Smith, Byron.

Maidstone: Harness, Sesay, Fowler, Beeden, Hamblin (Oguntayo 70mins), Corne (Agbontohoma 78mins), Bramble, Gilbert, Golding (Court 39mins), Moore (Redfearn 73mins), Tanga (Nwabueze 60mins). Subs not used: Holden, Casey.

Referee: Jack Bloxham.

Attendance: 1,864.