Dartford 0 Maidstone United 1 match report: Jack Barham scores the winner for Hakan Hayrettin's title chasers

Maidstone took another step towards winning the National South title after ending Dartford's unbeaten home record.

Ex-Darts striker Jack Barham scored the only goal in the first half as Maidstone did the double over their Kent rivals.

Barham also saw a penalty saved by Dan Wilks but it didn't matter, with the Stones, who ran and ran and ran, worthy winners at Princes Park.

Victory keeps them four points clear of Dorking, with four games remaining.

Darts made two changes to the side who won at Billericay on Good Friday, with Jernade Meade and Samir Carruthers in for Kristian Campbell and Kieran Murtagh.

Regan Booty returned in the visitors’ midfield after a three-match ban, taking Dominic Odusanya’s place in the only change from their win at Chippenham nine days ago.

Maidstone appeared to have benefited from the extra time off, taking the game to Dartford, backed by a sold-out away allocation of 700.

There was a blow for the Stones after a frantic start, with 22-goal leading scorer Joan Luque forced off injured inside 15 minutes, replaced by Christie Pattisson.

Luque had threatened moments before, denied by Wilks after collecting Sam Corne’s backheel, with Barham’s follow-up blocked.

Maidstone, 4-0 winners over Dartford when the sides met in December, took the lead in the 17th minute.

Barham, who scored a hat-trick in that game, was at it again, nodding home after an inswinging free-kick from Booty was flicked on by Michael Phillips.

The Stones were keeping Darts at arm’s length but Carruthers, the former Aston Villa midfielder, began to get a foothold as Steve King’s side fought back.

He played a couple of lovely passes for Marcus Dinanga to run on to as his influence briefly grew on the game.

From the first, Dinanga