Jack Powell scored twice as Ebbsfleet completed the double over Maidstone at the Gallagher Stadium.

Midfielder Powell gave Fleet the lead straight after half-time and scored the winner shortly after Joe Anderon’s equaliser.

Fleet are only three points off the National League play-offs following their first win of the year, while the Stones are 10 games without a victory.

Maidstone brought Josh Hare into the side in a switch to a back three while Fleet put new signing Lawrie Wilson straight in at right-back and handed Jack Payne his first start since September after injury.

There wasn’t a lot for the forwards to work with in a tight first half with the only genuine chance falling to Jamar Loza after a loose free-kick from Wilson presented him with the ball just outside the box.

Loza worked his way into the area but big Dave Winfield made the block.

Winfield had threatened at the other end in the opening minutes, Magnus Okuonghae getting in the way of his well-struck volley, while Sam Magri’s strike from distance was comfortably held by Lee Worgan.

Wilson linked nicely with Sean Shields in attack, with a couple of nice crosses going in from the right, but Maidstone were untroubled.

It was Shields who set up the opening goal just 42 seconds after the break.

He whipped in a cross from the right with Seth Twumasi’s attempted clearance falling to Powell who placed his shot into the bottom corner.

Twumasi made amends for his mistake by setting up the Maidstone equaliser in the 54th minute.

The ball fell his way after Joe Pigott’s shot was blocked and he crossed to the far post where Anderson lost his man and powered home a header.

Fleet were back in front seven minutes later.

This time Reece Prestedge lost possession to Andy Drury whose sliderule pass was finished by Powell with the aid of a deflection.

Danny Kedwell’s shot on the turn was beaten away by Worgan as Ebbsfleet threatened a third moving into the last 20 minutes.

Maidstone than had a chance to level as Anderson’s cross picked out Hare but the header went wide while Pigott’s 25-yard free-kick went over.

United had good possession in front of Fleet as the clock ticked down but were effectively snuffed out.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Okuonghae (Sam-Yorke 78mins), Wynter, Anderson, Prestedge (Paxman 81mins), Hare, Lewis, Reason, Loza (Osei 78mins), Pigott. Subs not used: Wraight, ter Horst.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Wilson, Winfield, Clark, Magri, Drury, Payne, Coulson, Powell (Rance 85mins), Shields (Weston 80mins), Kedwell. Subs not used: McLean, Jordan, Bush.

Attendance: 2,396 (422 away).