WREXHAM were held to a 1-1 draw by Maidstone United at The Gallagher Stadium.

Sam Ricketts' side extended the unbeaten run to 11 games but had to come from behind to earn a draw against the lowly Stones.

The stalemate means Wrexham surrendered top spot and are now third in the National League.

The starting line-up showed three changes from the side that beat Weston-super-Mare in the cup the previous weekend.

Akil Wright came into the midfield in place of Brad Walker while Rekeil Pyke and Mike Fondop returned in attack for Stuart Beavon and Chris Holroyd.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the early exchanges but Wrexham, playing with a high intensity, began to take control and Luke Young beat his man before unleashing a shot that flew wide in the 15th minute.

Another break led to Fondop pulling the ball back for Pyke whose drive was blocked by a defender, and James Jennings only just cleared the bar with a free-kick from the edge of the area as Wrexham continued to press.

Wright did well to pick out Pyke whose effort was blocked and Shaun Pearson was unable to turn Luke Summerfield's free-kick home from close range with Wrexham well on top.

But Maidstone almost scored against the run of play after 36 minutes, a corner wasn't cleared and Rob Lainton made a superb save to keep out Simon Walton's half-volley.

Pyke's shot was comfortably saved by Grant Smith at the other end while the hosts countered but Walton couldn't keep his effort down from Jake Cassidy's cross with the last chance of a first half dominated by Wrexham.

The Reds picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, Pyke cutting inside before firing a curling shot that went narrowly wide.

Maidstone enjoyed their best spell of the game without threatening a goal but the hosts broke the deadlock on 65 minutes.

The ball was cleared to Walton who scored with a great strike from 25 yards.

Jordan Maguire-Drew was immediately brought on for Paul Rutherford and Walker soon took over from Wright.

Wrexham responded to going behind by equalising in the 72nd minute.

Walker unleashed a shot that took a wicked deflection and found the back of the net with keeper Smith already committed.

That was the midfielder's third goal in five games and he wasn't far away from adding to his tally with another shot that flew just wide without a deflection.

Maidstone regrouped and Walton was denied another goal as his shot was blocked, Blair Turgott fired wide and sub Olu Durojaiye pulled his shot wide after Maguire-Drew lost possession.

Beavon replaced Fondop after 88 minutes but the game finished all-square.

Maidstone United (4-2-3-1): Smith; Phillips (Swaine 55), De Havilland, Finney, McLennan; Powell (Muldoon 90), Walton; Cassidy, Paxman (Durojaiye 85), Turgott; Romain. Subs not used: Strizovic, Tajbakhsh.

Wrexham (4-3-3): Lainton; Roberts, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings; Young, Wright (Walker 69), Summerfield; Rutherford (MAguire-Drew 66), Fondop (Beavon 88), Pyke. Subs not used: Dibble, Carrington.

Referee: Lloyd Wood.

Attendance: 2,626 (262 from Wrexham).