Ibby Akanbi’s double led Maidstone to one of their most impressive results of the season.

Akanbi scored twice in the first half, taking his tally into double figures, as the Stones pulled off a 2-1 win over National South form side Havant.

The Hawks reply came late in the second half and they pushed hard for an equaliser but the visitors deserved their victory for a wholehearted display.

Lewis Knight made an unexpected appearance at centre-half in place of Ryan Johnson while Matt McClure returned from injury at expense of Jonny Edwards as Maidstone made two changes to the side who drew with Tonbridge on New Year’s Day.

Ibrahim Olutade was named on the bench, meanwhile, after returning from his 14-goal loan spell at Isthmian Premier Leatherhead.

Under-23 players Sam Ribbens and Liam Wilkins were also among the substitutes.

Havant, top of the form guide and with only two defeats all season, appeared big favourites going into the game but Maidstone had other ideas, putting in a display that was chalk and cheese from what they served up against local rivals Angels.

It wasn’t always pretty - it was never going to be - but in terms of effort, work rate and commitment, it was everything you want to see from a side.

Noah Chesmain put an early free-kick into the wall after Simon Walton - caretaker manager of Maidstone this time last year - upended Akanbi on the edge of the box.

McClure saw a good shot on the turn held by ex-Stones loanee Ross Worner at his near post before the opening goal in the 32nd minute.

It came from a Gavin Hoyte throw-in with McClure flicking the ball into the path of Akanbi, who showed great strength to hold off his man, turn and fire into the bottom corner.

Havant, who saw Alfie Rutherford fire over in the early stages, had a little spell of pressure while Maidstone were down to 10 men, George Elokobi receiving treatment for a head wound having earlier been struggling with a leg injury.

But it came to nothing and the Stones doubled the lead in the final minute of the first half.

It should have been a routine clearance for Joe Cook on the corner of the area but Akanbi kept going, panicked him into a slip, took possession and thumped the ball into the far corner.

The Stones almost had a third in added time with Chesmain’s terrific 30-yard drive pushed over.

Havant made a double change at half-time - Cook one of the players to make way - and soon had a free-kick an inviting position which Danny Kedwell thumped out of the ground.

Akanbi had a golden chance to complete his hat-trick after dumping Sam Magri on his backside and going through one-on-one but he hit Worner’s legs.

Havant were starting to look more dangerous with Chesmain blocking a header from a corner on the goalline and further balls into the box testing the Stones defence.

They kept finding ways to get the ball clear but pressure eventually told in the 77th minute when Havant got Benny Read in down the right and he finished into the far corner.

Josh Taylor, another Stones old boy, fired over as Havant pushed for a leveller and Chris Lewington was sharply off his line to take the ball off Jonah Ayunga’s toe.

Ayunga was in again in the last few minutes but hit the side-netting and also fired narrowly wide in added time.

A brilliant late reaction save by Lewington, sticking out a leg to deny Taylor, confirmed Maidstone's victory.

Maidstone: Lewington, Hoyte, Knight, Elokobi, Chesmain, Marshall, Temelci, Allen, McClure, Wishart, Akanbi. Subs not used: Ribbens, Pennell, Edwards, Wilkins, Olutade.

Attendance: Not given.

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