Maidstone United 1 Hemel Hempstead Town 0 match report: Jon Benton nets only goal as Stones claim first home National League South win this season at the Gallagher Stadium at seventh attempt

Maidstone secured their first home National League South win of the season against Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.

Midfielder Jon Benton gave them a deserved half-time lead and they held on for a much-needed 1-0 victory at the Gallagher Stadium.

The hosts put in a dominant first-half display in front of a 2,105-strong crowd.

Hemel goalkeeper Craig King’s first meaningful action saw him parry returning centre-back Reiss Greenidge’s header that came from a third long throw inside the opening four minutes.

Four minutes later, Maidstone’s Crawley loanee Antony Papadopoulos nodded over a right-wing cross.

As the home chances kept coming, Pierre Fonkeu flicked wide left-back Ben Brookes’ delivery with 19 minutes on the clock.

Chances in quick succession saw defender Temi Eweka nonchalantly steer a low Brookes corner against the crossbar before United keeper Alexis Andre Jr saved smartly.

He palmed away George Williams’ 20-yard drive to safety in a rare Hemel foray forward during the first period.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, a stretching Papadopoulos stabbed over Charlie Seaman’s low right-wing cross and then Fonkeu drilled inches wide.

But the Tudors, who remain without a league win since September 7, were also looking dangerous on occasion. Midfielder Daniel Roberts found himself in lots of space all of a sudden, only to drag wide his 37th-minute shot when he should have done better.

George Elokobi’s men did go ahead in the 42nd minute, though, as they finally made their first-half dominance count.

The initial effort was saved at point-blank range by King from a lovely cross by Brookes, but Benton hammered home with King now in the net, to much relief from the home contingent.

Things were far from going to plan for