Maidstone’s changes made the difference in a comfortable home win over Chippenham.
Hamzad Kargbo and Dajon Golding, brought into the side following the midweek defeat at Ebbsfleet, both scored after being paired up front in a switch of system.
Kargbo also provided an assist for John Gilbert as United won the game with three first-half goals.
It was the ideal response after the blow of derby defeats by Tonbridge and Fleet and keeps George Elokobi’s side just outside the National League South play-off places.
Maidstone, changing to a back three, dominated possession early on against their struggling opponents and took a 15th-minute lead.
Gilbert and Golding combined in midfield to release Jephte Tanga and he stood up a cross to the back post for Kargbo to power home a header into the far corner.
Maidstone should have doubled their lead minutes later when Golding dispossessed a Town defender on the edge of the box.
Resisting the opportunity to square to Kargbo, he decided to have a go himself but after rounding keeper Will Henry, he overran the ball and ended up conceding a foul.
Another good chance fell Maidstone’s way before the half-hour with skipper Sam Corne finding Golding, whose lovely through ball sent Kargbo clear on goal.
The big man looked a good bet to score but Henry was sharply off his line and blocked with his legs.
Bottom side Chippenham were neat and tidy in the final third and carved out a couple of openings, notably when Nathan Harness denied Olaf Koszela.
But Maidstone took the game away from them with two goals just before the break.
They went 2-0 up in the 41st minute as centre-back Lexus Beeden beat his man and swung over a cross to the far post which Kargbo nodded back across goal for Gilbert to tap
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