Substitute Jamie Allen scored a late winner as Dover completed the double over Maidstone.

Allen scored four minutes from time to settle the New Year’s Day derby at the Gallagher Stadium as Whites strengthened their National League survival bid.

Maidstone had the best of the first half but, just like at Crabble on Boxing Day, Andy Hessenthaler’s men dominated after the break.

There were no goals in the first half but it was a decent game with some good play from both sides and no shortage of commitment.

Inih Effiong flashed an effort inches wide for Dover inside 10 minutes while Jake Cassidy’s first-time strike from 25 yards was held by Mitch Walker at the other end in a lively start.

Cassidy v Kevin Lokko was a good battle, the former Stones defender winning his fair share of headers but Cassidy had the beating of him a few times as the hosts threatened.

Clear-cut chances were in short supply but Maidstone were looking the more likely team to score in the first half.

Jack Paxman’s ball across goal evaded Elliott Romain by inches, Cassidy fired over after latching on to Ross Worner’s big clearance and former Stones captain Stuart Lewis blocked Romain’s shot after George McLennan’s cross was cut out by the Whites defence.

Then, at the end of the half, Paxman intercepted Jai Reason’s corner and freed Romain on the counter attack.

He teed up Cassidy after a dash down the left and the striker beat his man before seeing a thumping effort well saved by Mitch Walker.

Dover’s other main opening saw Nortei Nortey’s cross find Mitch Brundle, whose attempted lob was collected by Worner.

Cassidy’s goalline block thwarted Effiong following a long throw as a big chance fell Dover’s way early in the second half.

Effiong was in again minutes later, lifting the ball over the bar, then Bedsente Gomis’ deflected strike went narrowly wide as Whites got on top.

Paxman, with a series of fine challenges, disrupted Dover’s flow as Maidstone tried to get a foothold once again but the visitors remained the bigger threat with Will De Havilland heading off the line and Brundle’s drive seconds later well saved by Worner.

A goal looked like it was coming and it arrived in the 86th minute when Lokko flicked on Brundle’s long throw and Allen lashed home.

Worner denied Allen a second at the end of five added minutes.

Maidstone: Worner, Phillips, De Havilland, Wassmer, McLennan (Edobor 46mins), Muldoon, Tajbakhsh (Richards 89mins), Paxman (Robinson 77mins), Powell, Romain, Cassidy. Subs not used: Strizovic, Walton.

Dover: Walker, Brundle, Doe, Lokko, Debayo (Jeffrey 68mins), Lewis, Nortey (Modeste 68mins), Gomis, Reason, Pavey (Allen 62mins), Effiong. Subs not used: Diarra, Worgan.

Attendance: 3,087 (375 away).