Torquay United lost a little more ground in the National League South title race today when they were beaten 1-0 at promotion rivals Maidstone United.

It was expected to be a tough game in Kent for Torquay and so it proved with the home side controlling most of the game and Torquay labouring at times - especially in the first half.

It was better in the second half for the Gulls, but a strike from distance by Charlie Seaman in the 76th minute evaded James Hamon and Torquay were sent home without a point.

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After losing their undefeated home record, and unbeaten record since the end of October last week, this was a fourth game without a win in a concerning run, ahead of a home game against Eastbourne Borough next week. On a day when two of the stuck-together National South top seven - Worthing and Boreham Wood - were playing FA Trophy football, this result meant Torquay dropped a place from fifth to six, while Maidstone went second behind new leaders Dorking Wanderers, with the top four all on 55 points and Boreham Wood and Torquay on 52.

Manager Paul Wotton made one change in defence with fit-again Jordan Dyer coming in for Ed Palmer, and one change in midfield with Omar Mussa coming in for Dylan Morgan. With Jay Foulston still injured, Finley Craske kept his place at left back.

This was another game on an artificial pitch, which brings its own challenges. James Hamon had to clear the ball ahead of a speedy Sol Wanjau-Smith, who made an early run into Torquay's box. And it was the home side who had much of the opening possession. Matt Jay almost found Cody Cooke with a through ball in the 15th minute but goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr got to it first.

Hamon punched a Seamon cross but Ben Brookes' shot was spooned over. Torquay also survived a goalmouth scramble in the 22nd minute. Mussa shot from distance - straight at the goalkeeper - at the end of the counter attack. A Tayt Trusty strike in the 34th minute was tipped onto the crossbar by Hamon.

Torquay defender Sam Dreyer had to be treated for a head injury after a clash with Reiss Greenidge, which earned a yellow card for the Maidstone player. But it was Dyer who came off in the 43rd minute after feeling his injury again. He was replaced by Palmer. A Baylin Johnson shot just before the end of the half was always going over the bar.

Mussa had a shot deflected into the goalkeeper's hand early in the second half - and a good cross by Craske evaded all of Torquay's forwards. A dangerous cross by Wanjau-Smith at the other end had a similar fate. Jordan Young was beginning to come into the game a bit more now for Torquay - and the left-footer on the right wing was heavily involved in another good move.

Mussa came off for Ilesanmi in the 61st minute - taking up the position on the left-hand side. Three minutes later Young went down injured for a second time in the second half and Lirak Hasani came on. A dangerous shot at goal by Dan Hayfield had to be punched away by Andre Jr in the Maidstone goal.

Torquay's defence did well against a bit of a Maidstone bombardment. But Ilesanmi drove forward well and won a corner which was cleared by Greenidge under pressure from Palmer. This was a game for the taking by either side. Hamon parried a Blair shot and Maidstone substitute Richardo German might have done better than angle a header wide in the 74th minute.

It was Seaman - a threat all afternoon - who scored for Maidstone with a great strike past Hamon in the 76th minute. It was a blow for the Gulls who had been better in the second half. Morgan and Will Jenkins Davies came on for Jay and Hayfield as Wotton chanced his last two substitutions.

But really, Torquay offered little more despite there being five minutes added on and the players certainly not giving up. Oscar Threlkeld almost found Ilesanmi in the dying minutes, but the ball was just too far away from the young striker. A surging run by Palmer ended with a chance for Hasani that was stopped by the head of Temi Eweka. And that was that.