George Elokobi scored a brilliant goal in his final match before retirement as champions Maidstone finished the National South season with victory over Hampton.

Elokobi, who left the field to a guard of honour when he was substituted in the second half, opened the scoring in front of a Gallagher Stadium record crowd of 4,175.

David Fisher levelled for Hampton but the Stones signed off with a win thanks to Jerome Binnom-Williams’ late header.

Elokobi, handed a start by Hakan Hayrettin as he brings down to the curtain on a 19-year career, was given a fantastic reception by the home crowd as he led out the side.

With Stones fans singing his name and cheering his every touch, Elokobi, whose last start in the league came in October, rolled back the years with a cracking slide challenge on Brandon Barzey in the penalty box.

That was met with a roar of approval from the Genco Stand but Elokobi cranked up the volume further still with a brilliant opening goal in the 16th minute.

Funny how these things happen in football.

He’d have taken any sort of goal into retirement but what a strike this was, turning outside the area on the angle and bending the ball into the far corner.

Regan Booty and Sam Corne fired wide and Michael Philips cleared the bar, with Roarie Deacon ready to pounce, before Hampton levelled five minutes before half-time.

The Beavers countered after Maidstone broke down midway in the visitors’ half, with Wassim Aouachria releasing Fisher.

He still had a lot to do, and at one point stumbled, but managed to continue his run before thumping the ball into the top corner from a tight angle.

Former Maidstone winger Iffy Allen twice went close for Hampton in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

At the other end, Corne missed by inches after turning on a Binnom-Williams pass, and Phillips blazed over when well-placed after Ghandour and Booty combined.

Hadler denied Brandon Barzey and Dean Inman should have done better with a free header as further chances fell Hampton’s way, while Inman also had a header ruled out for offside.

Elokobi’s exit came in the 75th minute, taking applause from all sides of the ground, and sinking to his knees in front of the Genco, before leaving to a guard of honour from both sets of players.

Maidstone substitute Johl Powell went on a lovely run approaching the last 10 minutes, his shot inches away from nestling in the bottom corner.

The Stones did, though, go back in front nine minutes from time, Booty whipping in a free-kick from the right for Binnom-Williams to get across his his man and head home.

Binnom-Williams had the ball in the net again in the last minute but the flag went up for offside.

Maidstone: Hadler, Hoyte, Fowler, Elokobi (Ellul 75mins), Binnom-Williams, Booty, Phillips (Powell 62mins), Corne, Walters (Grant 68mins), Deacon, Ghandour. Subs not used: Mersin, Odusanya.

Referee: Isaac Searle.

Attendance: 4,175.