Jephte Tanga’s first Maidstone goal settled the Kent derby at Dover.

Tanga struck late in the first half after Stones captain Sam Corne had sent a penalty over the bar.

George Nikaj missed a great chance for the hosts after the break as Dover suffered a sixth successive defeat at the foot of National League South.

For the Stones it was an important three points on their return to league action after the end of their FA Cup run, with George Elokobi’s side outside the play-offs on goal difference.

With rain pouring down at Crabble, the game appeared to be in doubt when the officials began a pitch inspection 20 minutes before kick-off.

Whites groundstaff emerged with the roller and referee Nathan Oakes eventually decided the teams were good to go.

A young Whites side, with an average age of 22, made a bright start but Maidstone, showing five changes from the side beaten at Coventry, soon took charge.

It wasn’t always pretty - the conditions saw to that - but the Stones were well on top against a Whites outfit who struggled to get out of their own half at times.

Justice appeared to be done in the 19th minute when Stones captain Corne missed a penalty.

It looked a generous award by Oates, with Charlie Naylor adjudged to have fouled George Fowler.

Corne had a 100% record from the spot this season but he got this one wrong, with the ball sailing over the bar.

Whites keeper Daniel Jinadu went on to deny Matt Rush, with Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong hitting the inside of the post seconds later as Maidstone continued to push.

Tanga had been a bright spark down the Maidstone right and it was the on-loan Orient man who opened the scoring in the 38th minute.

The impressive Chi Ezennolim was the provider with a good run down the left before fizzing a ball across the face of goal for Tanga to stab home.

Faal bent an effort just past the post soon after and sent another effort wide before the break.

Dover saw a golden chance go begging in the opening moments of the second half.

Nikaj still won’t know how he didn’t score after Naylor squared to him unmarked a yard out with the goal at his mercy.

Somehow he could only roll the ball into the grateful arms of Lucas Covolan, with the weak finish giving the Stones keeper time to recover his position.

Nikaj cleared his head to hit the side-netting after a bright run, with Dover showing they were still in the game.

Faal missed a big chance at the other end after the ball came back off Jinadu, while the Whites keeper later saved well after Reiss Greenidge met a corner from Corne.

There was another opening for Faal when Tanga sent him through on goal but he fired over under pressure from Roman Charles-Cook.

Dover: Jinadu, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Naylor (Oladipo 87mins), Holding, Ojemen, Oliver, Young (Dembele 64mins), Wilkinson, Stewart (Allen 73mins), Nikaj. Subs not used: Hatcher, Neil-Gray.

Maidstone: Covolan, Brown, Fowler, Greenidge, Ezennolim, Gurung, Corne, Berkeley-Agyepong (Sole 83mins), Rush, Faal (Reynolds 82mins), Tanga. Subs not used: Earle, Appiah, Duku.

Referee: Nathan Oakes.

Attendance: 1,203.