Lamar Reynolds’ eight-minute hat-trick will encourage the Maidstone forward to shoot more often.

Reynolds had only scored once for the Stones before his rapid treble in a 5-1 win at Eastbourne on Good Friday.

That was his wonder strike in the FA Cup at Ipswich where he brilliantly chipped Tractor Boys keeper Christian Walton in the Stones’ shock fourth-round win at Portman Road.

Reynolds is his own biggest critic and knows he doesn’t go for goal enough.

But he’s seen what happens when he has the confidence to shoot and hopes to build on his efforts at Eastbourne as Maidstone close in on a National South play-off place.

“I’m always quite critical of myself in terms of I don’t think I shoot enough,” said Reynolds.

“Luckily I was able to get in positions to shoot, so hopefully that can boost me up and I can actually shoot more often because I showed what I can do.

“Hopefully I can have a few more shots before the season ends.”

Reynolds was introduced midway through the second half as a replacement for Bivesh Gurung with United 2-1 up against Eastbourne’s nine men.

He crashed home the crucial third goal five minutes from time before scoring a brilliant second from long distance in the final minute of normal time.

And when Maidstone were awarded a penalty in the third minute of added time, Reynolds got the nod from manager George Elokobi to step up even though regular taker Sam Corne was on the pitch.

He fired home off the underside of the bar.

“Sometimes you get those days where it’s just your moment to shine,” said Reynolds.

“The gaffer told us in the changing room before the game even started, subs are always going to be more important than the starting line-up because you never know what might happen.

“We may need a sub to come on and score a goal.

“All it takes is a moment of quality and the game can change.

“Coming out after half-time, the gaffer told us subs to be ready because you are going to win the game for us.

“It was massively important we stay sharp, so I was warming up pretty much the whole second half and I was called up and told to go on and enjoy myself but we need goals, we need to win this game.

“The team helped me get in good positions and I was able to take my chances.

“The first goal was important because at 2-1 the game can still go either way and luckily I took it well.

“The second one, I don’t know how far out it was, I was just excited with the goal so I was embracing the moment but apparently I don’t score tap-ins.

“For the third, Sam’s our penalty taker, so I had to look back at the gaffer on the bench to see what he was saying.

“Luckily he was saying, ‘Lamar, let Lamar take it’ so I was happy to step up and take it for the team.

“It would have been a bit harsh if I wasn’t able to take it but luckily I was given the chance and I took it well.

“I just tried to throw the keeper with my body position that I was going to go one way but went the opposite side. I was able to put his mind off it a bit and send him the wrong way.

“I haven’t scored a hat-trick for a long time. It must be three years ago at Concord. I don’t think I’ve ever scored one in eight minutes, maybe in youth days but not in senior football.”

Maidstone meet Welling at the Gallagher Stadium on Easter Monday.