Maidstone came from a goal down to beat promotion rivals Billericay and extend their excellent run.

It’s just two defeats in 15 league and cup games now for the Stones who won with goals from Ibby Akanbi and Justin Amaluzor, having trailed to Doug Loft’s early strike.

There was a blow for United when top scorer Matt McClure broke down in the warm-up but it meant a chance for Iffy Allen to play behind Akanbi - and he certainly took it.

Billericay, on a high after Tuesday night’s 5-2 FA Cup replay win over Sutton, gave starts to Stones old boys Jack Paxman and Jake Robinson.

And the Essex side were soon celebrating the opening goal which came in just the fourth minute following a foul out wide by Dan Wishart on Louis Ramsay.

Ex-Ebbsfleet man Sam Deering played a low free-kick into the box which reached Loft and he turned and fired Ricay in front against his hometown club.

Billericay were good to watch, playing the expansive football encouraged by new boss Jamie O’Hara, but Maidstone responded well with some teasing balls into the box.

Akanbi was inches away from connecting with one from Wishart and Amaluzor’s acrobatic volley from a Chesmain cross went over the top, while a good strike from Allen tested Alan Julian in the Billericay goal.

Billericay went close to doubling their lead from a lovely move which went from right to left and featured Deering, Loft, Ramsay and Arjanit Krasniqi before Paxman slipped in Robinson but Jake Cole made an outstanding block.

Seconds later, in the 24th minute, a lively Maidstone side were level.

Neat play in midfield by Allen saw Amaluzor take up play before feeding Akanbi, who eased the ball past Julian.

Maidstone went in front four minutes later after Chesmain moved infield and found Ross Marshall.

The youngster, cleared to play after Maidstone won an appeal against his FA Cup red card, picked out Amaluzor with a lovely little pass and he finished off the far post.

Shortly before the hour mark, Allen saw a deflected shot go wide and had a big penalty shout for handball turned down, while Julian did well to hold Amaluzor’s strike from the edge of the area as the rain worsened.

At the other end, Ryan Johnson pulled off a terrific block from Deering.

An open contest continued with Julian parrying from Allen and the loose ball falling to Saidou Khan, who hit the back of the Genco Stand.

A big chance followed when Wishart thrashed the ball across the face of goal but Allen, under pressure from Alfie Potter, couldn’t turn it home.

Substitute Jordan Parkes went close for Billericay before Stones substitute Jonny Edwards collected a backheel from Wishart and forced a good save by Julian.

Billericay almost snatched a point with time running out when the ball came back off the bar in a crowded box.

Edwards then hit the post in added time as Maidstone missed out on a third.

Maidstone: Cole, Hoyte, Johnson, Elokobi, Chesmain, Khan, Marshall, Amaluzor, Allen (Embery 84mins), Wishart, Akanbi (Edwards 73mins). Subs not used: Pennell, Kamdjo, Lewington.

Attendance: 2,031 (101 away).

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