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Vas Karagiannis scored a last-minute penalty to give Maidstone a 2-1 win at Weston on Tuesday night.
The winger was pushed over running on to Joe Healy's pass and got up to take the spot-kick as United cut Ebbsfleet's lead at the top of National League South to seven points, with two games in hand.
Crucially, they also have a 17-point cushion over sixth-placed Hemel as they close in on securing a play-off place.
Stones boss Jay Saunders praised the referee for awarding the late penalty.
He said: "It was definitely a penalty but it was a big decision to give in the last minute.
"You'd expect to get it at home but when you're the away side sometimes referees take the easy option.
"He didn't do that and I thought he had a good night.
"I had no worries when Vas picked up the ball. He's got that confidence - he wants the responsibility.
"It's a long way to go for a point so we're delighted to come away with three."
Dumebi Dumaka's 12th-minute header from an Alex Flisher long throw gave Maidstone the lead as the visitors controlled the first half.
A handball by Callum Davies saw Scott Wilson level from the spot for struggling Weston on 79 minutes.