In a match that was important for both teams for very different reasons, Maidstone United ended Welling United’s hopes of remaining in the Vanarama National League South with an emphatic victory.

As a result, the Stones returned into the play-off zone and ending the regular season in the top seven is now back in their own hands.

George Fowler was unable to keep a header down from a deep corner for the visitors in the opening minutes before Welling came close to going ahead. Jez Davies unleashed a pile driver that was pushed onto the bar and over brilliantly by Alexis Andre Jr.

Jordan Higgs drew an easy save out of Wings goalkeeper Rhys Lovett then Gene Kennedy came close at the other end with a shot that curled wide of the far post. Maidstone’s Charlie Seaman had a shot blocked wide by Jack Burchell at the cost of a corner. Welling struggled to get it away and Ruben Shakpoke’s shot from ten yards was saved superbly by Lovett.

Another scramble in the Welling penalty area almost resulted in a goal when a clearance struck Temi Eweka and rebounded back past the post. The hosts’ escape was short lived, though, as Maidstone went ahead in the eighteenth minute. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong found space down the right and he played it through to Aaron Blair who blasted home from fifteen yards.

Davies again came close for the Wings when his twenty-five yard shot clattered the bar and went over before Maidstone doubled their lead eight minutes before half time. Ben Brookes delivered a corner and Eweka rose to head home.

Blair had a shot blocked wide by TJ Bramble before the first half ended with Maidstone well on top.

They also started the stronger in the second half and their pressing paid dividends in the sixth minute when they went three up. Bramble was forced into a back pass and a combination of a bobbly pitch and Berkeley Agyepong’s pressing distracted Lovett to such an extent that he missed his kick completely, allowing the Maidstone man to roll it into the empty net.

Sahid Kamara crossed from the right, and Scott Kashket got on the end of it with a clean header. However, Andre made an incredible acrobatic save clawing it away and Fowler tidied up by heading it over his own bar to safety.

Six minutes later, Maidstone were awarded a penalty when substitute Shaq Coulthirst broke through and was taken down by Lovett. The referee deemed that the Wings’ goalkeeper had attempted to win the ball and showed him a yellow card. Brookes took the responsibility from the spot and netted, sending Lovett the wrong way.

Having settled the game, Maidstone looked to conserve their energy and there were few goal attempts at either end for the remainder of the match. Kamara had a shot deflected over for Welling and Coulthirst and Charlie Seaman were both off target for the Stones.

Both teams are back in action on Monday with Maidstone entertaining Tonbridge Angels and Welling travelling to Chelmsford City.

Welling United: Lovett, Kamara, Martin, Bramble, Burchell, Di Trolio, Cornish, Kennedy, Moore (Redfearn 32), Kashket (Taylor-Crossdale 73), Davies (Ballard-McBride 73). Sub not used: Briscoe.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Moore (13 ungentlemanly conduct), Lovett (57 foul)

Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Trusty, Brookes, Kyprianou, Fowler, Eweka, Seaman, Higgs (Corne 74), Blair (Willis 82), Shapoke (Coulthirst 55), Berkeley-Agyepong (Court 63). Sub not used: Holden.

Goalscorers: Blair (18), Eweka (37),  Berkeley-Agyepong (51), Brookes pen (58)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Will Briers

Assistants: Charlie Roberts and Patrick Joliffe

Fourth Official: David Spain

Attendance: 1,173