Maidstone’s perfect start to the National South season was halted by Hampton.

Roarie Deacon’s first Stones goal put the visitors in front inside the last 15 minutes but Ryan Gondoh swiftly levelled.

Both sides had chances to win it, United’s best falling to substitute Christie Pattisson with five minutes left.

Alfie Pavey earned a start after his pair of winners from the bench in the only change from the victory over Billericay.

He did his best work winning defensive headers in his own box and United got an hour out of him before he made way for Pattisson.

The Stones looked reasonably comfortable in the first half against a direct home side, bar a couple of slack moments that threatened to allow them in.

Tom Hadler was tested only once midway through the half, turning Kyron Farrell’s deflected free-kick out for a corner, while Jorome Slew fired inches wide just before the break.

Alan Julian certainly had more to do than his opposite number as Maidstone mixed up their play, at times going direct from the back through Joe Ellul and others playing some neat football in midfield.

Dominic Odusanya tested Julian from 20 yards in just the second minute after turning on Joan Luque’s pass.

Julian pulled off an excellent save minutes later after Jake Gallagher took a clearance from Gavin Hoyte’s cross on the volley - a cracking strike.

Raphe Brown’s cross almost found its way in midway through the half before a couple of openings for Deacon.

He had an effort blocked on the line after working space for a shot from Luque’s pass.

Just before the break, he had another strike blocked and saw the follow-up tipped over by the alert Julian.

George Elokobi suffered a nosebleed after being caught in the face, Hoyte went to ground following an off-the-ball incident and Gallagher and Charlie Wassmer had a shoving match in a scrappy start to the second half.

Slew fired over from Jake Gray’s cut-back as a decent chance fell Hampton’s way and at that stage the hosts were enjoying one of their best spells.

But the Stones responded as Deacon collected Hoyte’s pass and played in a lovely ball for substitute Pattisson, whose shot was blocked on the line, with Gallagher’s overhead follow-up saved by Julian.

Maidstone survived a big handball appeal against Odusanya, from a Gray shot, before taking the lead in the 76th minute.

Jermaine McGlashan - who’d won two free-kicks within a couple of minutes of coming on - was proving difficult for Hampton to handle down the right.

And he was the provider with a lovely turn of pace and cross for Deacon to head home off the underside of the bar.

The lead lasted just four minutes with Hampton level when Slew’s cross was swept in at the back post by Gondoh.

Maidstone blew a gilt-edged chance to go back in front on 85 minutes. Brown’s cross found the unmarked Pattisson who fired over with just Julian to beat.

Back came Hampton and it took a goal-saving interception from Ellul to prevent the hosts going 2-1 up.

Maidstone: Hadler, Hoyte, Ellul, Elokobi, Brown, Gallagher, Booty, Odusanya (Phillips 81mins), Deacon, Luque (McGlashan 72mins), Pavey (Pattisson 60mins). Subs not used: Johnson, Binnom-Williams.

Attendance: 862.

Referee: Michael Ryan.

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