The league’s meanest defence unravelled as Maidstone were thrashed at Hampton & Richmond.

United had conceded just 13 goals in 15 National South matches before turning up at the Beveree and were on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

But they conceded from four headers and a penalty as their early-season frailties from set-pieces returned out of nowhere.

Mason Bloomfield scored a hat-trick, with Luis Fernandez and Ben Seymour also on target for the in-form Beavers.

Maidstone had fought back from two goals down to level - Sol Wanjau-Smith and Devonte Aransibia’s penalty getting George Elokobi’s men back in the game.

But they ended up well-beaten and finished with 10 men after Aransibia picked up a second yellow card.

A defensive horror show began for the visitors with Hampton’s ninth-minute opener.

Sam Deadfield swung over a corner from the right and Fernandez was free at the back post to head home.

Hampton doubled their lead in the 17th minute - this time from a free-kick after a foul by Raphe Brown on Ruaridh Donaldson.

Captain Jake Gray played the ball in and Bloomfield lost his man down to plant home a firm header.

Maidstone, having been all over the place, fought back with two goals in four minutes.

It was 2-1 in the 23rd minute with skipper Sam Corne finding Matt Rush before Wanjau-Smith burst into the box and planted a cool finish past Adam Desbois.

And Maidstone were level on 27 minutes after Isaac Pitblado’s push on Wanjau-Smith in the box gave Aransibia the chance to score his second penalty in five days, leaving Desbois rooted to his spot.

It was entertaining, if nothing else, and a third goal for Hampton followed in the 31st minute after the hosts won another corner.

Over it came from Deadfield again and Bloomfield found himself with another free header.

That wasn’t the end of the first-half drama with Maidstone unfortunate not to be awarded a second penalty after a foul on Lamar Reynolds.

The challenge appeared to be in the box but referee Michael Robertson-Tant awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after consulting his linesman.

Maidstone continued to look vulnerable defensively, Covolan with an excellent save after Pitblado was found in space from a Deadfield free-kick.

And the Stones keeper saved his side again when Gray met Donaldson’s cross at the near post.

Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s added-time cracker - heading for the top corner - was well-saved at the other end as Maidstone went close to an equaliser before the break.

A promising opening for Renolds early in the second half came to nothing - he’d perhaps earned the right to keep going after a good run but there were team-mates better placed.

Hampton’s fourth goal followed in the 59th minute, with Bloomfield completing a hat-trick of headers from Jordan Thomas’ cross as Maidstone’s defending deserted them again.

And the hosts didn’t have long to wait for number five, Seymour sending Covolan the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after a foul by Sam Bone.

Covolan denied Seymour from another free-kick before Desbois made a fine stop from substitute Levi Amantchi’s header at the other end.

Maidstone’s afternoon took another turn for the worse when Aransibia - already booked in the first half - picked up a second yellow for dissent with 20 minutes remaining.

Hampton: Desbois, Thomas, Donaldson (Kurran-Browne 79mins), Fernandez, Seymour, Gray, Deadfield, Hunt, Wishart, Pitblado, Bloomfield. Subs not used: Cheadle, Hall, Whittingham, Solomon.

Maidstone: Covolan, Fowler, Bone, Brown, Reynolds (Amantchi 62mins), Gurung, Corne, Aransibia, De-Graft, Wanjau-Smith (Petrasso 76mins), Rush (Obi 83mins). Subs not used: Earle, Court.

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.

Attendance: 1,361.