Wingate and Finchley were unable to break their away-day hoodoo on Saturday, slipping to a 3-0 defeat at Ryman Premier League leaders Maidstone United.

The visitors twice went close early on, with Carl McCluskey - on a dual registration from Wealdstone - and David Knight coming close to opening the scoring.

However, the hosts took advantage of those misses and seized the initiative in the 15th minute when former Chelsea defender Steve Watt headed home from a long throw on.

The home side’s lead was doubled shortly before the break when Jack Parkinson nodded home from another toss into the penalty area.

Alex Flisher - who had earlier fired narrowly over - put the game to bed on the hour when he headed home unmarked following a quick Maidstone breakaway.

The Blues twice came close at the death - Rob Laney and Tommy Tejan-Sie both denied - but could not force a consolation goal.