It was the first win and goals at the Gallagher Stadium since 2018 for the Fleet as they came out on top for a third time in three Kent derbies so far this season.

Carrying a 2-1 lead into added time, the game was sealed by an inspired substitution as Harvey Walker came on in the 91st minute and wrapped things up with his first touch not long afterwards.

Josh Wright made one change to his side and reshaped his tactics going into this one, with Jake Vokins coming in for Finlay Barnes.

Despite a lively start from the Fleet, it was the hosts who created the real first chance when Riley Court’s free-kick from 20 yards out looked promising but failed to hit the target.

And 10 minutes in, the Fleet were celebrating a goal. Lennon Peaked whipped a ball into the area from a corner which picked out Ben Chapman. Saturday’s star man unleashed an excellent volley that was spilled by Lenny Holden, allowing Camron Gbadebo to fire in from close range.

The Fleet continued to enjoy much possession but couldn’t quite find a shot of note to double the advantage. Josh Passley saw his shot cleared the other side of the post inside 20 minutes whilst Chapman saw another attempt gathered by Holden.

Toby Edser came close but his effort at the near post was fumbled out of play by the hosts while at the other end, Nana Boateng couldn’t keep a close-range header on target for Maidstone.

Moments before half-time, Riley Court dragged a long-range low strike wide as the hosts sought to get on top but the whistle arrived to protect the Fleet’s lead.

Will Buse was forced into action early in the second-half but he made a fine save from George Fowler, pushing the ball on to the bar.

Court was then lucky to only see yellow following a challenge that went through Chapman in front of the dugouts just before the hour mark leaving manager Craig Fagan no choice but to substitute the midfielder.

The Fleet kept their heads to extend their lead on 67 minutes when Daniel Ogunleye celebrated his seventh of the season. Chapman gave him plenty of space to run into with a pass and Ogunleye outpaced Taylor Foran to strike a low shot towards the far post past Holden.

A number of substitutions slowed the game down and although Fleet looked to be heading for a victory, Maidstone got one back to set up a dramatic finish. It came from Jayden Davies who made the most of an error at the back and he scooped the ball past Buse with less than 10 minutes to go.

It could have been a nervy end to this derby but the Fleet fans could settle when their side clinched it in the dying minutes. Off the bench, Walker was away down the right flank following a Stones corner and he outpaced the men chasing him to restore the Fleet’s two-goal advantage.

From one top of the table clash to another, Fleet’s unbeaten run is taken to Cornwall this Saturday with second-placed Truro City awaiting.

EUFC: Buse, Passley, Gbadebo, Tizzard, Vokins (Walker 90), Vennings, Kennedy, Edser (Hessenthaler 68), Chapman, Peake (Seaman 72), Ogunleye (Samuel 76).

Subs not used: Box, Barnes, Manktelow

MUFC: Holden, Fowler, Hvid (Lusala 46), Foran, Hamblin, Hanson, Court (Leech 66), Boateng (Boruk 83), Leahy, Gravata (Stepien-Iwumene 46), Charles (Davis 66).

Subs not used: Brookman, Uwakwe.

Attendance: 2,943 (394 EUFC)

Photos: © EUFC / Ed Miller, Tom Harris