Maidstone toppled second-placed Dagenham to climb out of the National League relegation zone.

Joe Pigott’s wonder goal gave Stones a half-time lead and he was controversially denied a second before the visitors had Stuart Lewis sent off for a second yellow card.

But Delano Sam-Yorke doubled Maidstone’s lead with five minutes left as Jay Saunders’ side secured a first away win since September - and what a performance it was.

Maidstone, roared on by hundreds of travelling fans behind the goal, worked their socks off against title-chasing Dagenham.

From minute one they were in the Daggers’ faces, not giving them any time on the ball, and it started from the front with Sam-Yorke and Joe Pigott contstantly closing down.

Hard graft was the theme but Maidstone had the class to go with it as they took the lead in the sixth minute.

There seemed little on when the ball dropped to Pigott just outside the area but the on-loan man crashed a wonderful first-time strike into the top corner.

Stones continued to hold their own - you wouldn’t have known who was second in the league - and while Dagenham started to get into decent crossing positions their final ball was poor.

They almost levelled in the 12th minute when Oliver Hawkins collected Fejiri Okenabirhie’s pass and turned Jamie Coyle but his strike went inches wide of the far post.

Stones weren’t far away from a second after a mix-up between keeper and defender saw the ball drop to Pigott but Daggers were able to clear the danger.

Lee Worgan had just the one save to make in the first half and it was a good one, too, reacting sharply at his near post to keep out Scott Doe’s header from a corner.

Dagenham turned to veteran striker Paul Benson at half-time and looked to have a go but with an hour played had just a wild Frankie Raymond shot to show for their efforts.

There was controversy on 69 minutes when Pigott appeared to have doubled Maidstone’s lead only for the goal to be ruled out.

It looked as though he’d pressured keeper Mark Cousins into a mistake before chasing down the loose ball and slotting home.

Stones celebrated, the ball was back in the centre-circle, but Daggers were furious and after convincing referee Allison to consult his linesman, the goal was chalked off a good minute later.

Substitute Bobby-Joe Taylor hit the bar with a 25-yard free-kick as Maidstone tried again for a second.

But then Lewis, booked in the first half, received his second yellow for chopping down Raymond with nine minutes left.

Daggers pushed but were stunned when the 10 men added their second goal on 85 minutes, Sam-Yorke barging his way through the middle and slotting home.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Prestedge, Lewis, Paxman (McCarthy 87mins), Sam-Yorke, Pigott (Odubade 90mins), Loza (Taylor 65mins). Subs not used: Phipps, Okuonghae.

Attendance: 1,456 (365 Stones fans).