Maidstone's two changes fired them to a derby victory over Margate at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.

Alex Brown and Billy Bricknell came into the side and scored the goals that maintained Stones' seven-point lead over Hendon in the Ryman League Premier Division.

But Gate, who led through ex-Stones striker Zac Attwood, are now 13 points off the pace.

The first half was every bit as tight as expected.

Stones went close with their first bit of football as Jay May, Bricknell and Tom Mills combined before Brown teed up Frannie Collin whose first-time strike went wide.

Luke Moore flashed an effort past the near post, then Attwood missed the target after a smart turn on the edge of the box at the other end.

Attwood then opened the scoring against his old club as Blues took the lead on 32 minutes.

Substitute Ryan James had only been on the pitch a matter of moments when he played in Attwood, who finished well.

Matgate lost another ex-Maidstone player to injury with Tom Phipp going off before half-time.

That had Gate boss Terry Brown cursing his luck and in injury time his side were pegged back as space opened up for Brown to arrow home a brilliant 20-yard strike.

Bricknell somehow missed an open goal after rounding keeper Nikki Bull from Brown's ball forward, that after May kept the ball alive on the touchline in his own half.

But he made amends seconds later by putting Stones in front from a few yards out after more good work by May on 53 minutes.

Steve Watt cleared off the line from James after Stones got in a mess at the back around the hour mark.

Injury ended the excellent Watt's afternoon soon after with Jamie Coyle on for the last 20 minutes.

'Come on Blues, they're sitting on it' was Gate manger Brown's call as he urged the visitors forward.

But Stones' introduction of Matt Bodkin and George Porter suggested United thought they could kill the game off or at least force Margate back.

Stones keeper Lee Worgan had a drink thrown over him from the Margate end as he went to take a late goal-kick. Perhaps it'll be champagne showering him come the end of April.

Maidstone: Worgan, Stone, Mills, Watt (Coyle 70mins), Huke, Rogers, Brown (Porter 79mins), Parkinson, May, Collin, Bricknell (Bodkin 79mins). Subs not used: Paxman, Godmon.
Margate: Bull, Eyong, Rents, Phipp (Johnson 42mins), Wassmer, Gerring, Taylor, Wills, Attwood, Ladapo (Moss 66mins), Moore (James 32mins). Subs not used: Riviere, Bennett.
Attendance: 2,226.