It was Maidstone’s day in the Boxing Day derby at Tonbridge.

George Fowler’s second-minute opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Liam Vincent in first-half added time.

But Aaron Blair restored the Stones’ lead with a superb strike 12 minutes from time and substitute Matt Bentley clinched victory at the death.

It was a fifth successive victory for Maidstone, stretching their unbeaten run in National League South to 16 games.

United made a dream start by taking the lead after just 68 seconds.

Matt Rush clipped over a cross from the right, Temi Eweka flicked it on and Fowler converted at the back post.

The Stones looked to build on their early advantage, with Angels taking a while to clear their heads.

But an injury to Harry Ottaway gave them a much-needed break in play and they were able to grow into the game.

A cross from Vincent evaded Ottaway and Crossley Lema at the back post and, as the hosts steadily improved, Scott Wagstaff and Crossley Lema tried their luck from distance before Jeremy Santos forced the first save.

The visitors had a chance to double their lead when Blair was played in on goal.

He was forced slightly wider than he’d have liked by the time he got his shot off, leaving Rowley a comfortable save at his near post.

Tonbridge levelled in the fourth of five added minutes at the end of the first half.

Santos worked the ball wide to Ethan Sutcliffe, who skipped past Sol Wanjau-Smith on the inside and crossed.

Ex-Angels midfielder Jordan Higgs’ defensive header looped up in the air, Trevan Robinson attacked it and Vincent steamed in the back post to head home.

Goalscorer Vincent was forced off injured at the start of the second half in a blow for the hosts.

Tonbridge centre-half Ronny Nelson pulled off a superb goalline clearance to keep his side level after Wanjau-Smith met a cross from Antony Papadopoulos.

Soon after, Papadopoulos headed just over from a Ben Brookes corner.

Maidstone regained the lead with a goal out of nothing in the 78th minute.

Santos ran into trouble on the halfway line, allowing the Stones to counter.

The ball reached Blair out on the left, who cut inside and sent a brilliant strike into the top corner from 25 yards, giving Rowley no chance.

Maidstone clinched victory in the fifth minute of stoppage, substitute Bentley with a neat finish from Blair’s lay-off.

Tonbridge: Rowley, Lema Fielding, Sutcliffe, Nelson, Vincent (Pegrum 49mins), Hanson, Wagstaff, Santos (Kelly 80mins), Robinson (Evans 72mins), Ottaway. Subs not used: Norburn, Kelly, Bakrin.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Seaman, Fowler, Eweka, Brookes (Greenidge 69mins), Gurung (Trusty 69mins), Higgs, Papadopoulos, Rush (Coulthirst 88mins), Wanjau-Smith (Bentley 68mins), Blair. Subs not used: Holden.

Referee: Morgan Conn.

Attendance: 2,825.