Matt Bodkin scored a hat-trick as Maidstone survived a scare to beat Ryman League South Park in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday.

But the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Alex Flisher, who made his comeback after nine months out as a late substitute.

He came on with eight minutes left and set up Bodkin’s third.

United found themselves 2-1 down having led early on but were 3-2 up by half-time and made sure of victory after the break against a Park side who finished with 10 men.

The visitors barely touched the ball in the opening 15 minutes as unchanged Stones bossed possession.

Maidstone took the lead on 19 minutes when Adam Birchall collected Callum Driver’s throw and squared for Jay May.

But Stones started to look a little casual and when South Park got the ball they were neat and tidy and dangerous on the break.

The Ryman side levelled in bizarre circumstances after 34 minutes - the first goal Maidstone had conceded in more than seven hours.

Manny Parry’s foul on Kieran Lavery led to a free-kick on the edge of the box from which Dean Lovegrove’s low strike evaded everyone and rolled into the far corner, with Lee Worgan helpless.

South Park were in front three minutes later, Joe Jackson pouncing to finish the loose ball after Worgan saved from Dale Burgess.

Park weren’t ahead for long enough to frustrate Maidstone.

It was 2-2 on 40 minutes with Bobby-Joe Taylor’s cross to the post volleyed home by Bodkin.

And Stones were back in front by half-time as Joe Healy climbed to head home a Taylor free-kick after 43 minutes.

On-loan Alex Osborn had been on the pitch only six minutes when he was picked out by Birchall and laid on a simple finish for Bodkin on the hour.

Maidstone had a man advantage to go with their two-goal cushion on 70 minutes, Park goalscorer Jackson dismissed following an off-the-ball incident with Parry.

Stones had their fifth goal on 81 minutes when Alex Akrofi stuck out a foot to turn home Osborn’s strike from the edge of the box.

That was followed by the moment everyone had been waiting for as Flisher replaced May to a standing ovation.

He was soon in the the action, setting up a tap-in for Bodkin as Maidstone made it six.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Paxman, Bodkin, Healy, May (Flisher 82mins), Birchall (Akrofi 68mins), Taylor (Osborn 54mins). Subs not used: Watt, Johnson, Pinnock, Reed.

Attendance: 1,169.