Substitute Lamar Reynolds scored an eight-minute hat-trick as Maidstone thumped nine-man Eastbourne at Priory Lane.

Reynolds struck twice in the final five minutes of normal time and completed his hat-trick in the third minute of added time as United ran out handsome winners.

Sam Corne put Maidstone in front from the penalty spot before Sam Beard was sent off for Boro.

The hosts levelled with a Pierce Bird wonder strike but he, too, saw red early in the second half.

Relegation-threatened Eastbourne dug in but Maidstone wore them down and took the points through Matt Rush and Reynolds’ hat-trick.

It was a fourth successive National League South win for the Stones as they strengthened their grip on a play-off place.

Maidstone handed a debut in midfield to Michael Klass, their deadline signing from league rivals Worthing.

His arrival was announced on the morning of the game and he immediately looked the part.

A good size, he won the ball and used it well in the centre of the park before going off for Raphe Brown at half-time.

He wasn’t the only new boy in the squad, with Michael Adu-Poku on the bench after joining on loan from Watford.

Maidstone took a seventh-minute lead from the penalty spot following a foul on Jephte Tanga.

Corne, who signed a new contract on Monday, stepped up and sent Harrison Foulkes the wrong way.

Decarrey Sheriff stabbed wide after good work down the right by Yahya Bamba as Eastbourne threatened a quick response but Maidstone looked in control early on.

The visitors found themselves with a man advantage in the 26th minute after Beard was sent off.

Only just booked for taking out Mo Faal, a silly challenge on Tanga left referee Robert Ablitt with no choice but to show a second yellow.

Eastbourne, having taken a few minutes to clear their heads, looked a better side with 10 men.

And they scored a stunning leveller in the 33rd minute, a rocket of a half-volley by Bird after a long throw was partially cleared.

Corne had a chance to restore Maidstone’s lead but just delayed his shot and a challenge came in.

Faal missed a big chance for United at the start of the second half, rolling the ball wide from Rush’s pass.

Moments later, Faal’s first-time effort was saved by Foukes after Corne, Rush and Tanga combined.

Boro were down to nine men on 52 minutes with goalscorer Bird shown a straight red for a high challenge on Tanga.

They showed plenty of spirit and had the crowd firmly behind them but Maidstone only needed to use the ball properly and the game would surely be there for them.

Elokobi’s men went back in front in the 65th minute.

Chi Ezennolim’s ball forward came off Boro defender Freddie Carter and dropped to Rush, and the Stones striker finished confidently in front of the travelling fans.

Reynolds fired past the far post and Matt Bentley had an effort blocked before new man Adu-Poku lifted the ball when played in by Sam Bone as Maidstone had chances to add a killer third.

It arrived five minutes from time courtesy of Reynolds, who thumped home after a cross from Ezennolim was blocked.

If Reynolds caught that one well, his second goal was even better as he fired into the top corner from 30 yards in the final minute of normal time.

Reynolds completed his hat-trick three minutes into added time, scoring from the spot after a foul on Tanga.

Eastbourne: Foulkes, Barry, Quick, Clarke, Sheriff, Brindle, Carter, Beared, Green (Diarra 56mins), Bamba (Ligendza 66mins), Bird. Subs not used: Hutchinson, Ballard-McBride, Sesay.

Maidstone: Covolan, Gurung (Reynolds 68mins), Greenidge, Bone, Tanga, Corne, Klass (Brown 46mins), Ezennolim, Bentley, Faal (Adu-Poku 72mins), Rush. Subs not used: Earle, Court.

Referee: Robert Ablitt.

Attendance: 2,226.