Dulwich Hamlet have slipped out of the National League South play-off places after their third consecutive defeat.
Following their 1-0 loss to Havant & Waterlooville at Champion Hill last weekend, Gavin Rose’s side went down 2-0 away to Maidstone United on Tuesday night.
Joan Luque put the hosts in front in the 30th minute at the Gallagher Stadium and they took that lead into the break.
Jack Barham made it 2-0 eleven minutes into the second half.
Hakan Hayrettin’s side started as they meant to go on as Michael Phillips’ close-range header was brilliantly kept out by Dulwich goalkeeper Charlie Grainger in the seventh minute.
After Reise Allassani was booked for a high challenge on Regan Booty, Grainger was called into action again as he saved down low from Luque’s shot in the 24th minute.
Maidstone weren’t denied for long as six minutes later Luque met Roarie Deacon’s cross for his 20th goal of the season.
There was barely any let-up for Dulwich and for Grainger and he was needed again 36 minutes in to deny Luque after Sanchez Ming had failed to clear.
Giovanni McGregor had the visitors’ first proper chance four minutes before half-time but couldn’t hit the target.
Dulwich began the second half determined to find a route back into the game and Jordan Higgs had their next effort only to scuff wide.
Taofiq Olomowewe then followed Allassani into the referee’s notebook for a rash challenge on Phillips.
Moments later the home side doubled their lead when Barham capitalised on a mistake at the back from Olomowewe to clip past Grainger.
With five minutes left, Dulwich winger Darren McQueen had a golden opportunity to get one back but again couldn’t get his attempt on goal despite being unmarked in the box after being found from a free-kick.
Booty was shown a yellow card for stopping a counter-attack in the 89th minute as Dulwich failed to get anything from the game in front of an attendance of 2,005.
It was a nineteenth league win of the season for the Stones who are unbeaten at home in four months. They are second in the table on 63 points, behind Dorking Wanderers on goal difference.
There was more bad news on a difficult night for the Hamlet as Rose saw Ronnie Vint go off injured late in the first half.
Dulwich, who are now eighth, a place and a point off the play-off positions, are back at home this weekend when they host twelfth-place Slough Town. Kick-off at Champion Hill is 3pm on Saturday.
Dulwich: Grainger; Ming, Sterling, Higgs, Olomowewe, Vint, Green, Levee, Mills, McGregor, Allassani.
Substitutes: McQueen, Holland, Blackman, Sekajja, Kandi.
Image: @Lockie_Photo_