Maidstone stormed back from two goals down to beat Hungerford at the Gallagher Stadium.

The Stones were in a bit of bother after Ryan Seager and Sol Wanjau-Smith struck in the space of two minutes during the first half.

But Joan Luque launched the comeback with a penalty just before half-time and late goals from Dominic Odusanya and Jack Barham turned the match on its head after the visitors had Duane Ofori-Acheampong sent off for two bookings.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Stones, who pushed and pushed against an away side whose timewasting antics came back to haunt them.

The gap at the top of National South is back to three points after leaders Dorking lost to Dartford.

There was a debut for on-loan Charlton midfielder Johl Powell, with Michael Phillips ruled out, in the only change from last weekend’s top-of-the-table defeat at Dorking.

Maidstone started well, forcing three corners in as many minutes, and looking to get Luque away down the left.

An early chance fell Luque’s way after keeper Luke Cairney spilled a Barham cross on to the post but the Hungerford No.1 made a good recovery save.

Having dominated, Maidstone were rocked by two goals in as many minutes.

The first came in the 18th minute with Seager, who scored a hat-trick against the Stones in a 3-2 win for Hungerford in October, finishing Wanjau-Smith’s pass after the hosts failed to deal with a deep free-kick from Cairney.

It was 2-0 when Yusuf Mersin flapped at a cross, presenting Wanjau-Smith with a simple finish in the 20th minute.

Maidstone, having started so well, lost their way for a spell, knocking balls out of play and making wrong decisions against a Hungerford side whose spoiling tactics were already in full swing.

A 30-yard free-kick from Luque, following a foul on Gavin Hoyte, hit the bar and sparked the crowd back into life.

And Maidstone were back in business in the third minute of added time when a soft penalty award against Max Ram saw Luque, after an ice-cool stuttering run-up, send Cairney the wrong way from the spot.

Just like the first half, Maidstone started the second by winning several corners.

They went close to a leveller just before the hour mark when Powell took Jerome Binnon-Williams’ pass and worked space in the box, Cairney getting down well to make the save.

Roarie Deacon had a penalty shout turned down, Joe Ellul misdirected a header when well-placed and Odusanya hit the bar in a matter of seconds as Maidstone pushed hard.

Hungerford were happy to sit on their lead and went into their shell even more when Ofori-Acheampong picked up his second yellow card in the 63rd minute.

Maidstone continued to take the game to the visitors, with Deacon flashing a strike inches wide after cutting in from the right, then Cairney made a brilliant save when Luque met Deacon’s corner with near-post header, while there were also further penalty appeals.

Binnom-Williams fired over from Deacon’s lovely crossfield pass and Kyle Bailey was fortunate not to put through his own net when substitute Christie Pattisson thrashed the ball across the face of goal.

Maidstone finally levelled eight minutes from time, the ball dropping to Odusanya from a Deacon corner, and the midfielder made no mistake.

The comeback was complete two minutes later when Barham powered home a header from a Pattisson cross, triggering wild scenes at the Gallagher.

Hungerford defender Keith Emmerson was sent off after the final whistle as Hungerford lost their discipline.

Maidstone: Mersin, Hoyte (Pattisson 71mins), Fowler, Ellul, Binnom-Williams, Odusanya, Corne, Powell, Deacon, Luque, Barham. Subs not used: Hadler, Brown, Bettamer, Gurung.

Referee: Ben Atkinson.

Attendance: 2,222.