Maidstone closed the gap on leaders Margate to a point with a five-goal demolition of Canvey on Saturday.

Stones bounced back from their Ryman League Premier Division derby defeat at Tonbridge on Monday in style at the Gallagher Stadium.

They raced into a four-goal half-time lead with Jack Parkinson responding to the terrace boo-boys in style by scoring twice. Frannie Collin also grabbed a brace with Alex Flisher completing Stones' tally.

Maidstone were ahead inside three minutes as Ben Greenhalgh's shot was not gathered cleanly by keeper Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton and Frannie Collin was on hand to score from close range.

Parkinson got in the act on 16 minutes after Collin's assist and the former Welling and Woking midfielder doubled his personal tally 10 minutes later, slotting home the rebound after St Louis-Hamilton failed to hold on to Collin's free-kick.

Matt Bodkin and Greenhalgh both went close before Alex Flisher, starting in a more advanced role, claimed an excellent fourth goal after more indecisive goalkeeping from St Louis-Hamilton.

Canvey pulled a goal back with four minutes left when Victor Osobu beat the offside trap and scored at the second attempt.

The visitors made it 4-2 two minutes later when Rob Bartley took advantage of a deflection to slot home, but Collin added a late fifth for the Stones to ensure a scoreline more reflective of his team's dominant afternoon.

Maidstone: Worgan, Simpson, Mills (Phillips 73mins), Watt, Miles, Rogers, Bodkin (Miller 65mins, Parkinson, Greenhalgh, Collin, Flisher (Brown 78mins). Subs not used: Butcher, Godmon.
Attendance: 1,511.