Maidstone ended 2019 in style with a thumping home win over Dulwich Hamlet.

Ibby Akanbi and Ross Marshall gave the Stones an early two-goal advantage, with Hamlet replying through Dylan Kearney just before half-time.

Gavin Hoyte’s first Stones goal restored the hosts’ cushion and Iffy Allen made sure of the points.

Dulwich had the best of the first half but found themselves two down out of nothing after Maidstone scored twice in three minutes.

The opener came in the 17th minute with Hoyte’s cross to the near post met by Matt McClure, whose effort was blocked, but Akanbi thumped in the rebound.

That brought Maidstone to life and they went close to a second when Zihni Temelci’s excellent first-time strike from Hoyte’s lay-off was acrobatically tipped over by Preston Edwards.

From the corner Maidstone doubled their lead with Marshall sticking out a leg to meet Noah Chesmain’s corner for his first United goal.

Earlier, Dulwich might have been ahead inside 15 seconds after Dominic Vose played in Kearney but Chris Lewington made a smart fingertip save.

Lewington - retaining his place after an outstanding performance against Dorking - once again looked the part as Dulwich created a number of chances.

His best work was a marvellous triple save in a packed goalmouth after Richard Orlu met a free-kick from Jeffrey Monakana.

The Stones were also thankful to a goalline clearance from Chesmain while Monakana inadvertently blocked a goalbound shot from Hamlet’s ex-Maidstone striker Shamir Mullings.

Another decent opening for the visitors saw Ben Chapman head wide at the far post while Maidstone’s only other chance of the half came when McClure forced a decent low save from Edwards.

Hamlet pulled a goal back in first-half injury time after a well-worked move around the edge of the box.

Chapman, Monakana, David Ijaha and Vose all featured before Aaron Barnes slipped in Kearney, who finished from a tight angle.

Maidstone went 3-1 up in the 51st minute after a decent start to the second half.

Hoyte, who’s provided more than half a dozen assists from right-back this season, finally scored a goal of his own.

It was no surprise to see him involved in the build-up, feeding Temelci on the right before getting himself in the box to bury the cross.

Number four followed on 71 minutes as Maidstone closed in on a first home league win since the end of October.

Substitute Jonny Edwards skipped past a challenge and saw his shot come back off the underside of the bar and there was Allen to finish the loose ball.

Maidstone: Lewington, Hoyte, Johnson, Elokobi, Chesmain, Marshall, Temelci, Allen (Gilbert 88mins), McClure (Edwards 46mins), Wishart, Akanbi (Embery 90+2). Subs not used: Cole, Knight, Embery.

Attendance: 2,309 (211 away).

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