Shaq Coulthirst hopes his first Maidstone hat-trick could be the start of something - but he isn’t getting carried away.

Coulthirst scored a 13-minute treble after coming off the bench in the Stones’ 4-0 win over Enfield on Saturday.

He took his chance after replacing the injured Sol Wanjau-Smith as United extended their unbeaten run to 18 games in climbing to second in National League South.

The forward had only scored one league goal before the weekend - at home to Chesham in September - having been used largely from the bench since signing from Ebbsfleet last summer.

He’s kept his head up and got his rewards against Enfield.

“It’s nice as a striker to score goals - that’s always going to help your confidence,” said Coulthirst, after scoring the second hat-trick of his career.

“But I’m confident in my ability regardless.

“It’s difficult not playing and stuff but you’ve got to keep working hard because nights like this happen and that could be the start of something.

“I’m 30 now, so I’ve seen a lot. Football’s a strange game. The gaffer always says 24 hours is a long time in football.

“We’ve seen with Sol going down injured and I’m on earlier than I usually come on.

“A couple of minutes later it’s a goal and another goal and another goal. That’s how quickly football can change.”

Coulthirst staked his claim for a start when Maidstone visit Chesham this Saturday (3pm).

With Maidstone also losing Matt Rush and Antony Papadopoulos in attacking areas, he’s shown he could be a good option to add to his early-season goal against the Buckinghamshire outfit.

But he said: “I’m not thinking too far ahead. All I’m thinking about is whatever’s required for the team.

“At the moment they’re doing well in the league, so it’s more about the team.

“Obviously I’ve got this ball (for scoring the hat-trick) but the team has been doing very well for a very long time so I don’t expect anything except to keep contributing.”

Coulthirst helped Braintree win promotion from National League South last season while on loan from Ebbsfleet, forging an excellent partnership with Aaron Blair.

They haven’t played much together at Maidstone but remain close and Coulthirst will do all he can to help the 15-goal leading scorer fulfil his potential.

“I’m a lot older than Aaron - he keeps me young,” said Coulthirst. He’s got a lot of energy. I’m the opposite.

“I’m quiet and he’s the loud one, so we’ve got a good partnership from last season.

“This season I’ve obviously not been playing with him - he’s been playing more.

“But I’m just trying to keep him going, keep him going in the right direction, keep him scoring, and do what I can to help him move forward in his career because he’s got an abundance of talent, great pace and he’s a good player.

“Anything I can do to help him get better or score more goals, I’ll do that.”

Blair, who Coulthirst says looks more polished this season, has been tipped to play higher.

If he fires Maidstone to promotion, he can do whatever he wants, as far as his big mate is concerned.

“He scores a lot and that’s very attractive to other teams but this season we need him to keep scoring here,” said Coulthurst.

“Hopefully, with a little help from everyone, he can keep scoring and after we get promoted I don’t care what happens to him, he can go where he wants. Hopefully I’ll see him off somewhere.”

Maidstone visit Weymouth in rearranged league match on Tuesday (7.45pm).