Maidstone United picked up a crucial win at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday to keep pace with their Ryman League Premier Division promotion rivals.

Frannie Collin’s 10th-minute goal was enough to sink struggling Carshalton 1-0 on a day when the top five teams in the league all won. Fourth-placed Stones remain five points behind leaders AFC Hornchurch with three games in hand.

Terry Brown’s first game in charge of Margate ended in defeat.

The former AFC Wimbledon boss saw his new side take the lead twice at Hornchurch through Warren Whitely and Phil Walsh but the leaders came back to win 3-2.

Thamesmead Town secured an impressive 2-2 draw against Lowestoft thanks to a last-minute penalty from Lewis Tozer.

Junior Baker had earlier cancelled out a Jay Porter own goal and Lowestoft then re-took the lead in the 89th minute but Mead had the last word. However, they are five points from safety.

Basement boys Cray Wanderers lost again, though, 4-0 at Canvey Island.

In Division 1 South, Brendon Cass scored the winner against his former club as Faversham Town came from behind to win 2-1 at Hythe Town.

Shaun Welford had given Hythe the lead but Luke Harvey levelled before Cass scored a winner which keeps the Lilywhites fifth.

Folkestone Invicta are just one place and one point below them after goals from Dane Luchford (2) and Paul Booth fired them to a 3-0 win at struggling Sittingbourne.

Eighth-placed Ramsgate took the lead against Merstham through James Everitt but the visitors equalised a minute later and it finished 1-1 at Southwood.

Herne Bay were 3-1 winners against Tooting & Mitcham United at Winch’s Field, their goals coming from Jordan Casey, Stuart King and Danny Walder.

Division 1 North leaders VCD Athletic have almost been caught following their 2-1 defeat at Tilbury.

They are now just a point ahead of Mark Stimson’s Thurrock, for whom former Gillingham defender Simon King scored a last-minute winner to sink Chatham Town 1-0.

Erith & Belvedere have dropped into the relegation zone after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home to relegation rivals Brentwood Town.