Levi Amantchi delivered again as Maidstone moved up to second place in National League South.

Amantchi scored the only goal - his 18th of the season - as United won at promotion rivals Chelmsford.

He headed straight for the dressing room for treatment following his substitution during the second half - the one downside on a good night for the Stones – but hopefully it’s nothing serious

Maidstone made four changes to the side who won at Dartford in the FA Trophy two days earlier.

Sol Wanjau-Smith, Matt Rush, Devonte Aransibia and Michael Petrasso returned, with Liam Sole, Riley Court, Perri Iandolo and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft making way.

The Stones made a bright under the Melbourne Park lights, with Lamar Reynolds getting forward effectively from left-wing-back and looking a threat.

It was a Reynolds cross that led to the first opening after seven minutes with Amantchi’s header chested down by Rush to Wanjau-Smith, who forced a decent save from Joshua Oluwayemi.

Chelmsford blew a golden chance to take the lead in 18 minutes, Freddie Hockey somehow hitting the ball against himself when following in after Lucas Covolan parried Callum Jones’ strike from the edge of the box.

They were made to regret the miss soon after with the visitors taking a 22nd-minute lead.

Wanjau-Smith did well on the edge of the box to find Amantchi and the big man beat defender Luke Jenkins followed by an emphatic finish into the bottom corner.

Ex-Maidstone loanee Cameron James should have done better with two free headers as Chelmsford got balls into the box before half-time.

Wanjau-Smith might have added a second for the Stones in the opening stages of the second half after a poor City clearance was picked up by Amantchi in the area.

Soon after, a Stones counter ended with Amantchi turning on substitute Liam Sole’s cross, with a deflection taking his effort wide.

City survived an almighty goalmouth scramble from the resulting corner - Bivesh Guring going close - before a big double chance for Amantchi when played through by Rush.

Keeper Oluwayemi saved his initial strike and the Stones striker put the follow-up wide when looking certain to score.

Amantchi went down shortly before his 73rd-minute substitution, heading to the dressing room with physio Paul Smith.

Maidstone weathered some late pressure, with Chelmsford moving the ball about in search of openings.

For all their possession in the closing stages, they didn’t look like scoring.

Chelmsford: Oluwayemi, James, Brookes, Barbrook, Jenkins, Jones (Coker 58mins), Francis, Alfa, Hockey (Ruff 58mins), Vincent (Bettamer 68mins), Ochieng. Suba not used: Wordsworth, Watts.

Maidstone: Covolan, Gurung, Fowler, Bone, Petrasso (Sole 34mins), Corne, Aransibia, Reynolds (Coleman De-Graft 79mins), Rush, Wanjau-Smith, Amantchi (Kyprianou 73mins). Subs not used: Earle, Iandolo.

Referee: Adrian George.

Attendance: