Returning Maidstone keeper Chris Lewington was desperately unlucky to be on the losing side against Dorking.

Lewington, the club's goalkeeper coach, made just his second appearance of the season in United's 3-2 defeat by Dorking yesterday.

Included at the expense of Jake Cole, Lewington performed heroics as Wanderers carved out chance after chance in the first half at the Gallagher Stadium.

The crowd were singing his name while Cole watched from the dugout but Lewington's efforts proved in vain as John Still and Hakan Hayrettin's side slipped to defeat.

Head coach Hayrettin said: "Chris did well. He's been really patient.

"Me and John decided we were going to change it, which we did, and by the way, Jake Cole has been absolutely professional.

"He was cheering his team-mates on.

"He's done a good job for us but we thought a fresh pair of hands at the back could make a difference and Chris played very well."

Asked whether he's earned himself a run in the side, Hayrettin added: "We'll see. I'll speak to John and we'll go from there.

"He did well, as you can see, and made some excellent saves."

Ibby Akanbi scored twice as Maidstone came from a goal down to lead 2-1 but Dorking hit back to complete the double over the hosts.

Hayrettin highlighted injury problems with the likes of Ryan Johnson, Saidou Khan and Matt McClure on the sidelines while Justin Amaluzor broke down in the warm-up.

But once again he was left reflecting on mistakes as Maidstone failed to hold on to another lead, missing the chance to climb back into the National South play-off places.

• Maidstone 2-3 Dorking

Hayrettin said: "I'm not blaming injuries. We had a good go, our support again was fantastic, I just think in vital areas we didn't do what was right.

"Before this little patch we were one of the teams letting in the least amount of goals."

Maidstone finished with 10 men after Luke Pennell was shown a second yellow card following a clash with Dorking match-winner Jason Prior.

Pennell is free to play at Tonbridge on Boxing Day, with his ban kicking in against Dulwich on December 28.

Hayrettin was baffled by the dismissal.

He said: "I can’t believe the decision the referee has given against Pennell.

"Prior's got up and pushed him and then put his face into Pennell's face and he’s sent our player off for aggressive behaviour.

"He needs to have a look at that, and he did say to me if I’ve got it wrong I’ll apologise.

"You might as well apologise now because you’ve got it wrong, it shouldn’t have been a sending off."

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