Matt Rush made it four goals in three games as Maidstone beat Truro on their return to National League South action.

Rush was ineligible for the Stones’ FA Cup second-round win over Barrow on Saturday.

But it meant he was fresh for the league and he delivered a match-winning double with a goal in either half as Maidstone moved back above Hampton into second place.

Struggling Truro, boosted by news of a takeover, replied deep in added time through substitute Tyler Harvey.

George Elokobi’s side are now only three points behind leaders Yeovil, albeit having played a couple of games more.

Twenty-goal striker Levi Amantchi was ruled out through injury after being stretchered off against Barrow.

Strike partner Sol Wanjau-Smith, whose ankle problem inadvertently kept FA Cup matchwinner Bivesh Gurung on the pitch, was on the bench.

Defender George Fowler missed out through suspension but was on the pitch before kick-off for a presentation marking 100 Stones appearances.

Rush scored his third goal in as many games to give the Stones a half-time lead.

It came in the 20th minute with Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s neat touch from a deep Gavin Hoyte cross leaving Rush a tap-in.

Rush had a big chance to add a second when played in by Liam Sole but City keeper James Hamon stuck out a leg.

Earlier, Hamon made an outstanding low save after skipper Hoyte got his head to a corner from Sam Corne.

Lucas Covolan did equally well at the other end soon after to push Ryan Brett’s header on to the post after William Dean swung over a free-kick from the right.

Hoyte came to the rescue before half-time with a perfectly-timed challenge on Harvey Greenslade as he raced in goal.

Truro defender Samuel Sanders nearly put through his own net at the start of the second half.

There was little else in the way of openings until Maidstone doubled their lead 11 minutes from time.

Rush pounced on a mistake in the defence and while Hamon touched his initial shot on to the post, the Stones striker followed in to bury the rebound.

Harvey nodded home Truro’s consolation in the sixth minute of injury time.

Maidstone: Covolan, Hoyte, Appiah, Greenidge, Sole, Gurung (Iandolo 63mins), Bone (Brown 83mins), Corne, Kyprianou, Coleman De-Graft (Reynolds 67mins), Rush. Subs not used: Wanjau-Smith, Niemczycki.

Truro: Hamon, Melhado, Palmer, Sanders, Porter (Sullivan 65mins), Dean, Brett (Buse 79mins), Neal (Harvey 54mins), Greenslade, Harrison, Law. Subs not used: Rooney, Jones.

Referee: Morgan Conn.

Attendance: 1,450.