Maidstone United ended a run of four consecutive defeats as they beat Eastbourne Borough 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium courtesy of goals from Vas Karagiannis and Jamie Coyle.

The Sports were looking to follow up their 1-1 against Whitehawk with another good showing against one of favourites for promotion; it could have been worse for Borough if Lewis Carey was not in goal; the keeper pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the scoreline down to 2-1.

After an impressive opening from the hosts, Borough began to feel their way into the game, with Jack Evans and Kane Haysman looking to get on the ball and orchestrate the Sports attacks.

Maidstone created their first real chance of the match when they split open the Sports right-hand side; Charles Banya broke through but his effort was well saved by Carey in goal.

Shortly after, Karagiannis opened the scoring for the Stones. The tricky forward was released down the right flank after Maidstone manoeuvred a two-on-one situation, he then cut inside and rifled in a low drive which Carey couldn’t keep out, putting Maidstone 1-0 up.

After taking the lead Maidstone were always dangerous and Banya was close to doubling the lead five minutes before half-time, but his volley flew over the bar.

Sam Beale forced Lee Worgan into a smart save before the interval; the Sports full-back weaved his way into the box and fired across goal, but the Maidstone keeper was there to parry the ball back into the danger area. But for Borough nobody was there to convert what would have been a certain goal.

Borough was always in the game at 1-0, and on the half-hour mark the Sports equalised after a superb goal from Lok. The move started with Jack Evans picking off a Maidstone attack, he then fed it to Craig Stone who released Lok, the forward turned his opposing number with nonchalant ease, and then calmly slotted the ball past Worgan.

Just as Borough changed things to find the winner, Maidstone retook the lead; a corner was floated into the back-post, and Coyle met the ball unmarked and nodded in.

Borough were looking to equalise and with Gavin McCallum through on goal they had the chance to do just that, but the referee bought the play back for an earlier foul, which incensed Borough’s manager Tommy Widdrington.

After a heated chat with referee Andrew Laver, Widdrington was sent to the stands much to the delight of the Maidstone faithful.

Maidstone held on for a much needed win; but for Borough it was a loss that pulls them dangerously close to the drop-zone ahead of a trip to Whitehawk next weekend.

Teams Maidstone United: L. Worgan (c), C. Driver, T. Mills, J. Coyle, M. Parry, J. Rogers, C. Banya, (B. Joe Taylor) J. Healy, A. Akrofi, J. Paxman, (J. May) V. Karagiannis (M. Bodkin) Substitutes: F. Collin, C. Davies.

Eastbourne Borough: L. Carey, C. Stone, S. Beale, J. Evans, I. Simpemba (c), K. Khinda-John, B. Bosma, K. Haysman (M. Baptista), N. Pinney (E. Romain), D. Lok, G. McCallum (M. Hamilton)