After four straight defeats and without scoring in any of them, the Stones got their season back on track with a superb away display at Dagenham & Redbridge.

George Elokobi who was delighted with the work ethic from his group of players rewarded the 278 that travelled from the county town with a performance that will give everyone a huge lift after an extremely tough and frustrating September.

However, it was the Daggers that showed the early threat as Harry Sidwell got a sight of goal before seeing his powerful drive blocked by the head of Lexus Beeden.

Soon after, the Stones managed to settle themselves into the game as Antony Papadopoulos who was starting his first game since returning to the club set the ball back for Sam Oguntayo who tee’d the shot up inside the box but couldn’t keep it down.

Just moments later, John Gilbert broke up play in the middle before playing the ball down the left for Deon Moore. The big man up top cut on the outside but saw his shot hit the side netting. Gilbert who was instrumental in the first half was in the centre of the action again, as he saw his whipped free kick from the edge of the 18 yard box brilliantly denied by the strong hand of Sam Howes who made sure it didn’t nestle into the top right hand corner.

Gilbert was determined to get on the score sheet as Papadopoulos laid it off inside the box for the Stones number 10 before seeing his effort clip the top of the bar.

The Stones kept on coming and after 27 minutes, they were given the fortunate outcome they deserved as Papadopoulos went on the outside of his man before his low ball across the box took a flick off Corey Panter which was enough to take it past Howes to give Maidstone the opener.

Elokobi’s men looked to have the game under control towards half-time but were pegged back shortly before the interval when Rashawn Scott got the better of David Sesay. His low ball found Ashley Hemmings as he got in before George Fowler and slid the ball in from close range. It very nearly got worse when Dagenham had a strong penalty shout overlooked by the referee when Harness looked to have brought down his man. The ref played advantage and Scott hit the eventual shot into the side netting.

The second half was going to be a real test of character for the players as we haven’t seen too often the players reacting to conceding. However, up stepped Teo Kurtaran who picked the ball up from 25 yards out before firing an absolute rocket off the inside of the post and into the top right hand corner to regain the lead for the Stones.

After previous experiences, the Stones had to manage the game in the right way but with that, they still looked a threat in the final third. Papadopoulos played a low free kick in which caused a melee inside the Dagenham box as no one could get clean contact on the ball but eventually, it was played out for a corner.

Dagenham struggled to create clear cut opportunities in the final third and bar Conor Lawless’ first time effort which went through a crowd of bodies but straight into the arms of Nathan Harness, the Stones keeper was rarely tested.

The Stones clung on following seven added minutes to register an important victory at Victoria Road with lifts them up a few places in the Enterprise National League South table.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Ashley Hemmings 44’

Maidstone United: Corey Panter (OG) 27’, Teo Kurtaran 52’

Dagenham & Redbridge: 13. Sam Howes, 5. Sam Graham (18. Dylan Stephenson 83 mins), 6. Corey Panter, 7. Rashawn Scott (25. Reggie Young 62 mins) 8. Christian N’guessan (23. Conor Lawless 75 mins), 10. Donovan Wilson, 11. Joe Haigh, 20. Kayden Harrack, 21. Harvey Broad (7. Trent Rendall 62 mins), 22. Harry Sidwell (2. Dermi Lusaka 88 mins), 33. Ashley Hemmings (C). Subs not used: 1. Ben Nightingale.

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay, 4. Lexus Beeden, 5. George Fowler (C) (24. Taylor Forfan 45 mins), 6. TJ Bramble, 9. Deon Moore (23. Hamzad Kargbo 86 mins), 10. John Gilbert, 12. Dajon Golding (19. Ruben Carvalho 67 mins), 18. Sam Oguntayo, 20. Antony Papadopoulos (14. Kweku Lucan 82 mins), 22. Teo Kurtaran (17. Riley Court 79 mins). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 7. Jephte Tanga.