Manager George Elokobi was delighted with in-form Maidstone’s fast start in their home win against Weymouth on Tuesday.

The promotion-chasing Stones made it 22 National League South points from the last 24 available as they saw off the Terras 2-0 in front of another crowd of more than 2,000 at the Gallagher Stadium.

Captain Sam Corne got both goals - a header and a penalty - inside the first 15 minutes.

Elokobi reflected: “We said to our group of players in there (the changing rooms) that it’s about coming out the blocks fast, especially at home.

“We have been creating a lot of chances earlier in games and it was about capitalising on them. I’m ever so proud of our group of players.

“They came out within the first 15 minutes, got the job done and then we could manage the game from there. We still created a lot of chances after the first 15 minutes to try and get more goals.

“We take a lot of positives out of this game. We knew Weymouth were going to come here and try to make it difficult for us. They have nothing really to play for.

Report: Maidstone 2-0 Weymouth

“So, it was really up to us to take the game to them and try to deliver a professional performance tonight, and I think our players have done that.”

Midfielder Corne broke the deadlock in the third minute when he headed home a cross and then calmly converted from the spot after striker Sol Wanjau-Smith had been fouled.

“He’s been very reliable throughout the season with his performances - but not just his performances,” said Elokobi. “His leadership skills, as well. He has led by example well.

“It’s not just about game days. Away from them, he keeps high standards and the squad follows that.

“He has been ever-present this season.

“It’s good to be able to play him a bit higher up the pitch so he can get into areas like that.

“Because of injuries in the team, he has kind of taken a new role that we have asked him to do, a more defensive role, but, also, we know what he’s capable of in and around the 18-yard box when he plays higher up.”

Maidstone - who have already guaranteed a play-off place - sit third. They are level on points with second-placed Chelmsford, too, in the battle for home advantage in the showdown games but are just two points ahead of Braintree, who are fifth.

But Elokobi said: “We can only control the controllables and take it one game at a time.

“It’s important that we look at all the positives. We can’t control what goes on externally from our environment.

“It was important we took care of business this evening against a good side in Weymouth. Big credit to our group of players.

“I always say that winners don’t get bored of winning. We need to carry on winning games of football.

“We need to find a way, we need to find the right dynamism in our squad - in terms of our raw speed, in terms of our movement, in terms of our creativity, in terms of our switches of play - and I was really pleased with that tonight.

“There was plenty of credit to take out of this game.”

As the Stones made four changes to their side, on-loan Havant & Waterlooville striker Mo Faal was left out against Weymouth.

“Mo Faal has to rest,” stated Elokobi. “He’s not injured.

“He has played a lot of minutes since he has been with us.

“It’s important that we look at all our players. No one has a divine right to start every game at Maidstone United.

“When they’re doing well, there’s a challenge there to keep them hungry. It’s no different with him.”

Maidstone visit Gloucester City to face relegation-threatened Truro City this Saturday.