Eastbourne Borough 1 Maidstone United 5 match report: Substitute Lamar Reynolds scores eight-minute hat-trick as Stones thump nine-man hosts

Substitute Lamar Reynolds scored an eight-minute hat-trick as Maidstone thumped nine-man Eastbourne at Priory Lane.

Reynolds struck twice in the final five minutes of normal time and completed his hat-trick in the third minute of added time as United ran out handsome winners.

Sam Corne put Maidstone in front from the penalty spot before Sam Beard was sent off for Boro.

The hosts levelled with a Pierce Bird wonder strike but he, too, saw red early in the second half.

Relegation-threatened Eastbourne dug in but Maidstone wore them down and took the points through Matt Rush and Reynolds’ hat-trick.

It was a fourth successive National League South win for the Stones as they strengthened their grip on a play-off place.

Maidstone handed a debut in midfield to Michael Klass, their deadline signing from league rivals Worthing.

His arrival was announced on the morning of the game and he immediately looked the part.

A good size, he won the ball and used it well in the centre of the park before going off for Raphe Brown at half-time.

He wasn’t the only new boy in the squad, with Michael Adu-Poku on the bench after joining on loan from Watford.

Maidstone took a seventh-minute lead from the penalty spot following a foul on Jephte Tanga.

Corne, who signed a new contract on Monday, stepped up and sent Harrison Foulkes the wrong way.

Decarrey Sheriff stabbed wide after good work down the right by Yahya Bamba as Eastbourne threatened a quick response but Maidstone looked in control early on.

The visitors found themselves with a man advantage in the 26th minute after Beard was sent off.

Only just booked for taking out Mo Faal, a silly challenge on Tanga left referee Robert Ablitt with no choice but to show a second yellow.

Eastbourne,