Ten-man Maidstone lost an eventful game at Eastleigh having hit back to lead before skipper Gavin Hoyte was sent off. Danny Whitehall put the Spitfires in front but Ryan Galvin and Reiss Greenidge struck as United led at the break for the first time this season.
Hoyte’s dismissal gave the Spitfires a penalty, as Tristian Abrahams levelled from the spot. And the hosts pulled clear with Vincent Harper, Ousseynou Cisse and an own goal giving them the points as Maidstone’s winless run in the National League reached 12 games.
Hakan Hayrettin named an unchanged team after the encouraging goalless draw against Solihull Moors last week. United announced the signing of winger Zaid Al-Hussaini on loan from Crawley before the game and while he travelled to Hampshire, he didn’t make the squad.
Eastleigh, sitting just outside the play-off places, were on top for most of the first half. Cisse and Nigel Atangana formed an imposing midfield duo and the hosts attacked quickly with what almost looked like a front four at times.