Maidstone United 3 Havant & Waterlooville 1 match report: Matt Rush and Levi Amantchi (2) on target as Stones beat struggling Havant

Levi Amantchi moved on to 20 goals for the season as Maidstone regained second place in National League South.

Amantchi struck twice, including a terrific solo effort, while Matt Rush opened the scoring in a comfortable victory over bottom side Havant.

The Hawks were briefly back in the game when Ryan Seager made it 2-1 early in the second half but their long winless run under Steve King continues.

There was a full debut for on-loan Leicester defender Paul Appiah in the back three while Harry Kyprianou and Sol Wanjau-Smith returned to the starting XI.

Havant made the better start at the Gallagher Stadium, enjoying more of the ball.

But they failed to make it count and with the visitors’ confidence fragile after 15 games without a win, a Maidstone goal would change everything.

It arrived in the 16th minute with Rush looping a header over ex-Stones loanee Ross Worner after Kyprianou’s effort from an Amantchi cross was cleared off the line.

Lucas Covolan made a fine double save, keeping out James Roberts’ fierce hit in a crowded box and dealing with the follow-up before Maidstone doubled their lead in the 25th minute.

What a goal it was, too, as Amantchi played a one-two out wide with the impressive Kyprianou before weaving his way into the box round a series of defenders and firing low past Worner.

The hosts were looking increasingly comfortable as the half wore on, with skipper Sam Corne dictating in central midfield.

Rush went close to a third before half-time, drilling narrowly wide from the edge of the box after combining neatly with Wanjau-Smith.

Appiah’s powerful run from the back took him into the box in added time but he fired into the Town End.

Having looked in control, Maidstone conceded three minutes into the