Sam Corne scored twice as Maidstone moved to within two wins of the National South title with victory at Hemel.

Corne struck either side of Jack Barham, and Jerome Binnom-Williams added a classy late fourth, as United maintained their four-point cushion over Dorking with just three games remaining.

With Joan Luque ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury at Dartford on Monday, his place went to Christie Pattisson in the only change.

Luque, United’s 22-goal top scorer, may not have been on the pitch but he was very much part of the day, mixing with travelling fans behind the goal and even getting a song going.

Hakan Hayrettin’s side, chasing a seventh straight victory, took control of the game with two goals late in the first half.

The opener came in the 38th minute with Corne taking a lovely touch in the box before stroking the ball low into the far corner.

Number two followed seconds before half-time and what a goal it was, too, with Barham, on an angle outside the box, curling a beauty into the top corner for his 17th of the season.

Hemel had gone close to an early opener after Maidstone broke down in attack, skipper Gavin Hoyte with a goal-saving challenge after Pierre Fonkeu got clear and squared across the six-yard box.

Pattisson, playing from right, saw a thumping first-time volley hit the underside of the bar and bounce down on the line after meeting Roarie Deacon’s cross as Maidstone went close midway through the half.

Regan Booty saw a deflected strike go wide and Deacon’s long-range drive, after nice footwork by Binnom-Williams out wide, missed by inches, shortly before Corne opened the scoring.

Maidstone made a bright start to the second half and extended their lead in the 55th minute.

Pattisson’s overhit cross was retrieved by Deacon and he worked the ball to Binnom-Williams, who nutmegged his man before squaring for Corne.

Stones keeper Tom Hadler, having barely touched the ball, was bravely off his line to deny Craig Fasanmade, who was in on goal from Charlie Hughes’ flick.

Moments later he tipped over a free-kick from ex-Maidstone full-back Dan Wishart, as Hemel briefly rallied.

There was a nice moment with just under 15 minutes left when club captain George Elokobi came on for his first league appearance since the end of October.

He was given a great reception by travelling fans after coming on for the injured Joe Ellul.

Binnom-Williams added number four with a cracking strike in the 88th minute.

He bamboozled the home defence with more twinkle-toed brilliance on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom corner.

Maidstone: Hadler, Hoyte, Fowler, Ellul (Elokobi 77mins), Binnom-Williams, Booty, Phillips (Powell 89mins), Corne, Pattisson, Deacon, Barham (Ghandour 85mins). Subs not used: Mersin, Walters.

Referee: Ed Duckworth.

Attendance: 923.