A quick-fire Sam Corne brace helped inspire promotion-chasing Maidstone to a home win against Weymouth on Tuesday night.

The midfielder’s goals came in the first 15 minutes - a header and a penalty - as the National League South game finished 2-0 to the in-form Stones.

Maidstone went ahead in only the third minute at the Gallagher Stadium in front of another huge crowd of 2,132. Captain Corne headed a right-wing cross from Paul Appiah past goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards.

Three minutes later, a free-kick from home keeper Lucas Covolan almost picked out Matt Rush, with things already looking quite ominous for the Terras, who had won just one of their past five games before the encounter.

Weymouth created their first chance in front of the 31 supporters who had made the long midweek journey. Leo Hamblin produced a good left-wing run but saw his eighth-minute shot parried by Brazilian Covolan.

At the other end, Wiles-Richards got a touch on Chi Ezennolim’s shot.

But the 12th minute did see the home side awarded a penalty by referee Nathan Oakes, Corey Panter hauling down striker Sol Wanjau-Smith.

That allowed Corne to coolly convert from the spot to double their lead during an eventful first 15 minutes, as he moved to 10 goals for the season, only behind 13-goal Rush from the club’s current crop.

Weymouth were having the odd fleeting moment, too, though, even at this stage. Maidenhead loanee forward Harry Parsons curled narrowly wide of Covolan’s right-hand post from the edge of the area.

There was a slight delay shortly before the half-hour mark. Jephte Tanga went down, albeit he was fit to continue after treatment and finished the game, despite taking another whack late on.

Stones’ next opening was created by Ezennolim, who flashed a left-wing delivery across goal in the 31st minute, and Tanga did likewise from the opposite flank.

Five minutes before half-time, the visitors were forced into an early change in another blow. Dan Winterburn hobbled off and was replaced by Keelan O’Connell.

Maidstone probably should have put the result beyond doubt in first-half injury time, only to waste a counter-attacking chance after they had cleared a corner.

While the match had been slightly more even after the hosts’ quick start, George Elokobi’s side were still looking dangerous and Tanga drilled inches wide seven minutes into the second period.

Covolan had the simple task of gathering a 57th-minute shot by Parsons while, seven minutes later, Rush failed to hit the target with a header at the other end.

Midway through the half, Bivesh Gurung and Matt Bentley replaced Wanjau-Smith and Michael Klaas in the first two substitutions for Maidstone, who could have won much more comfortably had they been more clinical.

Home protests were waved away by Mr Oakes 10 minutes from time when Michael Adu-Poku, seconds after coming on, went to ground.

The recalled midfielder Sam Bone was next to go close for the Stones. He drilled wide after a smart free-kick routine.

But it was a relatively comfortable night for Maidstone, who made it seven victories from eight and the result was very rarely in doubt in truth.

Maidstone are third but are level on points with second-placed Chelmsford and only behind them on goal difference, with the battle for home advantage in the play-offs set to go to the wire.

They are away to Truro City this Saturday at Gloucester City’s ground.

Home boss Elokobi had made four changes from the team which won 1-0 at Farnborough last weekend.

George Fowler, Klaas, Bone and Wanjau-Smith came in for Reiss Greenidge, Bentley and Gurung, dropping to the substitutes’ bench, while on-loan Havant & Waterlooville forward Mo Faal missed out entirely.

Maidstone United: Covolan, Ezzennolim, Fowler, Brown, Klass (Bentley 69mins), Corne, Wanjau-Smith (Gurung 69mins), Bone, Tanga, Appiah, Rush (Adu-Poku 78mins). Subs not used: Greenidge, Earle.

Weymouth: Wiles-Richards, Hamblin, Panter, Jones, Thompson, Touray, Bearwish, Rollinson (Goodship 78mins), Winterburn (O’Connell 40mins), Parsons, Rowan (Roberts 69mins). Subs not used: Cheshire, Benfield.

Referee: Nathan Oakes.

Attendance: 2,132 (31 away fans).