Ryan Hanson scored the winner for the second week running as Maidstone came from a goal down to beat 10-man Hemel Hempstead.

United trailed to an early George Williams free-kick and had manager Craig Fagan red-carded in the aftermath for “leaving his technical area to confront an official”, in the words of fourth official Chad Greatorex.

But after the Tudors had Lee Angol sent off early in the second half, Maidstone took advantage with an instant equaliser from Riley Court, followed by Hanson’s headed winner.

Maidstone made two changes to the side who beat Slough last weekend with Jayden Davis and Nana Boateng coming in for Leone Gravata and Ken Charles.

With Charles on the bench, Tom Leahy played down the middle, leaving Davis - who set up both goals - and Boateng out wide.

United went close to a second-minute opener as Alex Stepien-Iwumene found himself in space from Boateng’s floated cross but headed inches over Michael Johnson’s crossbar.

Drama followed as Stones right-back Dermi Lusala was adjudged to have brought down Jesse Effa on the edge of the box.

The Hemel bench were furious to see Lusala escape with a yellow card, making their feelings clear.

They cheered up when Williams bent home the resultant free-kick in the 13th minute but something had upset Stones boss Fagan, who, bizarrely, was shown a red card for leaving his technical area.

A goal down and with their manager back in the dressing room, Maidstone found themselves up against a determined Hemel side, who, to their credit, defended well.

The Stones had little room to work with and when they did get into crossing positions, Tudors keeper Johnson collected everything bar one spill late in the first half, which he got away with.

Stepien-Iwumene hit the bar from just inside the area as Maidstone went close at the start of the second half.

Hemel were reduced to 10 men when Angol received a second yellow card for a challenge on George Fowler on 55 minutes.

And Maidstone, having just made a double change, made their numerical advantage count a minute later as Davis’ cross was turned home at the near post by Court.

Goalscorer Court had a penalty shout turned down soon after and United had the ball in the net again just past the hour mark but the goal was eventually disallowed after referee Harry Jones consulted his linesman.

Maidstone were firmly in the ascendancy against Hemel’s 10 men, with the game there to be won.

Leahy fired over after the ball broke in the box before the pressure paid off when another cross from Davis was headed home emphatically by Hanson for a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute.

A superb challenge by Frankie Hvid stopped a rare Hemel attack in its tracks as the Tudors looked for a way back.

The hosts also put a dangerous ball across the face of goal in added time but couldn’t take advantage.

Hemel: Johnson, Dowrich, Semakula, Agbontohoma (Pitblado 62mins), C Francis, Williams, Tuck (Ramirez-Espain 63mins), Angol, Effa (Tabor 69mins), Cook (M Francis 87mins), Green. Subs not used: Panayioutou, Taylor, Steele.

Maidstone: Holden, Lusala (Gravata 71mins), Fowler, Hvid, Hamblin, Hanson, Stepien-Iwumene (Nzuzi 55mins), Davis (Charles 80mins), Court, Boateng (Leech 56mins), Leahy. Subs not used: Boruk, Brookman, Chime.

Referee: Harry Jones.

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