Maidstone kept their first clean sheet of the season in a dominant display at Chippenham.

Conor Kelly opened the scoring with his first Stones goal and Sol Wanjau-Smith doubled the advantage for George Elokobi’s side.

But just as pleasing for United and their manager will be that long-awaited clean sheet in their ninth National League South game of the season.

Sam Corne returned from injury in midfield and there was a debut for Michael Petrasso following his arrival on loan from Canadian club York United.

August player-of-the-month Chi Ezennolim missed out with a hamstring injury and Liam Sole was also sidelined as United made two changes to the side beaten by Aveley on Tuesday night.

United were every bit as dominant here in the first half as Aveley had been at the Gallagher in midweek – and they remained well on top after the break.

It was a disciplined display in blistering heat, with United looking threatening going forward while not allowing Chippenham into the game as an attacking threat at the other end.

The Bluebirds’ only sniff in the first 45 came at 0-0 when Owen Windsor got away from Sam Bone but Devonte Aransibia, playing left-wing-back in Ezennolim’s absence, got back to cover.

Maidstone took the lead in the 14th minute.

Petrasso and Wanjau-Smith were involved in the build-up before the ball reached Kelly in the box.

His initial strike looked like it may have hit team-mate Levi Amantchi but when the ball came back to him, a deflected effort beat Will Henry.

Kelly, no doubt boosted by the goal, was buzzing about all over the place, putting in a tremendous shift in the heat.

He was involved in the second goal, too, winning the ball in midfield before debutant Petrasso took up play down the left.

The Canadian worked his way into the box before cutting the ball back to Wanjau-Smith, who picked his spot in the bottom corner.

Kelly hit the bar from 20 yards late in the half after Aransibia burst forward from Amantchi’s pass as Maidstone threatened a third.

Chippenham looked shaky at the back in the second half, offering Maidstone further encouragement.

George Fowler put a header over from a Kelly corner while Chippenham’s day was summed up when Jake Evans dumped a 25-yard free-kick into the wall following a foul by Corne on Windsor.

There was a let-off for Henry after he made a mess of cutting out Perri Iandolo’s through ball but he made amends moments later with a good low save after Amantchi tried to pick out the bottom corner.

Maidstone were sensible in possession as the clock ticked down, using the ball well and taking the sting out of the game, and they might have scored again in added time with Amantchi firing over a fine solo run.

Chippenham: Henry, Grant, Haines, Evans, McClure, Bray, Windsor (Lewis 86mins), Nicholls (Johnson 60mins), Spokes, Tuodolo, Williams (Amadi-Holloway 46mins). Subs not used: Jones, King.

Maidstone: Covolan, Brown, Fowler, Bone, Reynolds, Corne, Kelly, Petrasso (Iandolo 67mins), Aransibia, Wanjau-Smith (Obi 76mins), Amantchi (Court 90+5mins). Subs not used: Earle, Hatton.

Referee: Morgan Conn.

Attendance: 607.