Maidstone lost at home in the league for the first time since the opening day after blowing yet another lead.

They could have no complaints after losing to a Dorking side who largely dominated at the Gallagher.

But once again they were in a position to take three points after Ibby Akanbi scored twice in five minutes to cancel out Jack Barham’s opener.

The Stones couldn’t hold on, though, with substitute Jimmy Muitt and Jason Prior giving Wanderers victory in the second half.

United also finished a man down after Luke Pennell picked up a second booking in the last 10 minutes.

Goalkeeper Jake Cole was dropped after making a couple of errors in last week’s FA Trophy defeat by Concord.

His replacement, Chris Lewington, had a storming start to the game, making a string of outstanding saves as Dorking took control.

He single-handedly kept Maidstone in the match at times before Barham finally put the visitors in front.

But the Stones’ response was spot on as Akanbi levelled a minute later and then gave his side a half-time lead with a classy second.

Lewington was equal to Niall McManus’ 10th-minute effort from outside the box.

If that was routine, he soon had the crowd singing his name with a number of top stops.

His first saw him tip over a Jake Gallagher strike that was headed for the top corner, then he got down well to scoop Jason Prior’s effort away following a cross to the far post.

Arguably his best save saw him show brilliant reflexes to push Barham’s thumping volley over the top with little time to react and he also denied Prior from the resulting corner.

Lewington came to the rescue once more after Dan Wishart’s poor defensive header let Prior in on goal, sharply off his line to push away the strike with the Dorking man perhaps favourite to score.

The Stones keeper was finally beaten in the 35th minute with Gallagher’s cross met by Prior at the far post and Barham getting the final touch from virtually on the goalline.

It had been coming but Maidstone’s response was instant with Akanbi slamming home on the half-volley after the ball hit a defender’s arm and fell invitingly.

Maidstone’s leveller triggered quite a turnaround with Huk denying Akanbi from Wishart’s cross moments later.

The pair combined again as United took the lead in the 41st minute.

Wishart launched a rampaging break from his own half before playing a delightful pass in behind the defence for Akanbi to run on to.

Akanbi rounded Huk and bent the ball into the far corner from the tightest of angles.

Maidstone invited pressure in the second half and didn’t help themselves with some slack passing.

Dorking eventually punished them in the 63rd minute with Luke Moore finding Muitt who turned and fired into the far corner.

Wanderers continued to have the best of the half, looking comfortable in possession and playing their way through the Stones.

And they went back in front when Prior rose unchallenged to head home Moore’s corner in the 77th minute.

Maidstone had Pennell sent for a second yellow card in the 81st minute following a clash with Prior.

That hardly helped their cause and the 10 men couldn’t find a leveller, despite the best efforts of Akanbi and Gavin Hoyte.

Maidstone: Lewington, Hoyte, Pennell, Elokobi, Wishart, Marshall, Temelci, Chesmain, Allen (Embery 85mins), Akanbi, Edwards. Subs not used: Cole, Kamdjo, Amaluzor, Gilbert.

Attendance: 1,730 (56 away).

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent