Maidstone, left, challenge Herne Bay Picture: Barry Duffield

Maidstone United produced a second-half comeback to win 3-1 at Herne Bay on Saturday and open up a three-point lead at the top of Ryman League, Division 1 South.

Bay dominated the first half and went in at the break leading from a 23rd-minute Byron Walker penalty after Alex Brown was brought down in the box. But the Stones came alive in the second half and struck three goals without reply through Michael Phillips, Tim Olorunda and Alex Flisher.

With Dulwich losing 2-0 at Eastbourne Town, Faversham Town moved above Hamlet into second place with a 2-1 win at Chipstead courtesy of goals in each half from Dave Botterill.

Sittingbourne were held to a 2-2 draw at home by fellow play-off contenders Crawley Down. Ryan Golding gave the Brickies a first-half lead but the Sussex side hit back twice after the break and it looked bleak for Sittingbourne when Anthony John was sent off on 73 minutes.
But the Brickies battled away and were rewarded when Golding equalised from an 85th-minute penalty after he had been fouled in the area.

Seventh-placed Hythe Town were held to a goalless draw at home by Merstham which meant that Folkestone Invicta are now level on points with Scott Porter’s side after their 3-1 success at Burgess Hill thanks to goals from Johan Ter Horst (2) and Richard Atkins.

Ramsgate also won away from home – 2-0 at Walton & Hersham – through strikes from Tom Parkinson and Curtis Robinson but Whitstable Town slipped to a 5-1 defeat at Corinthian-Casuals despite taking an early lead through a Maddie Nsubuga own goal.

In the Premier Division, George Purcell scored on his debut for Margate in their 2-1 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough, with the other 'Gate goal coming from Alex Rhodes, but Cray Wanderers went down 3-0 at home to Hastings United.

In Division 1 North, Taylor McDonath scored a hat-trick for Chatham Town but it wasn’t enough to save the Chats from a 4-3 defeat at leaders Maldon & Tiptree, while Thamesmead Town edged Potters Bar Town 3-2 at home thanks to goals from Stuart Zanone (2) and Chris Edwards.