Maidstone were stunned by an 87th-minute winner as Halifax pushed them closer to National League relegation.

The Stones had been the better side after a forgettable first half but the best chances fell to the visitors and they eventually took one when Scott Quigley struck.

Halifax hadn’t scored in five games and Maidstone were without a home win in six months so everything pointed to a tight game.

That’s how it proved in the first half although the Stones did at least improve in the 15-20 minutes before the break.

They started to get some balls in the box, carving out a few chances, with Justin Amaluzor trying his luck a couple of times, Jake Cassidy’s shot blocked by Nathan Clarke and Michael Phillips drilling inches wide from Elliott Romain’s cross.

The main talking point in the first half was an early injury to the Stones’ on-loan Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dion-Curtis.

He was crocked in a collision with James Hardy while trying to deal with Shaun Donnellan’s backpass and had to be stretchered off.

On came goalkeeper coach Chris Lewington for his debut - the seventh stopper used this season - and he comfortably dealt with Hardy’s shot midway through the half.

The Shaymen looked like a side struggling for goals although they had a strong penalty claim for handball against Jack Powell turned down after 25 minutes.

Maidstone started the second half brightly, taking the game to Halifax.

Powell missed the target when space opened up, then a well-worked move saw Dan Meredith’s cross flicked back by Cassidy to Will De Havilland whose header was saved by Sam Johnson.

Amaluzor threatened from Powell’s pass but a mistake at the back let in the visitors soon after with Lewington making an excellent save after Matty Kosylo set up a golden chance for Quigley.

It was a big let-off for the Stones and they looked to make Halifax pay with Meredith’s 20-yard strike held and Romain fizzing an effort past the post.

However, there was another scare when Clarke’s header from a corner hit the post.

Hearts were in mouths again when Lewington raced out to meet Quigley, who went down, but the Town man was booked for diving.

And there was another good opportunity on the break when Quigley fed fellow substitute Jonathan Edwards, who somehow missed.

Maidstone were pushing their luck and it ran out in the 87th minute when a nice run from Kosylo set up Quigley, who finished neatly.

Jordan Preston hit the woodwork in added time as Halifax threatened a second.

Maidstone: Henry (Lewington 15mins), Davies, De Havilland, Donnellan (Edobor 46mins), Meredith, Phillips, Powell, McLennan, Amaluzor, Cassidy, Romain (Robinson 81mins). Subs not used: Paxman, Muldoon,

Attendance: 1,813.