Maidstone United 5 Hornchurch 4 match report: John Gilbert, Riley Court, Hamzad Kargbo, Taylor Foran and Sam Corne give Stones victory in nine-goal National League South thriller

Maidstone won an extraordinary nine-goal thriller against Hornchurch to keep their National League South play-off push on track.

The Stones raced into a three-goal lead inside 12 minutes through John Gilbert, Riley Court and Hamzad Kargbo.

Taylor Foran made it 4-2 to the hosts after Josh Rees and substitute Angelo Balanta replied.

But a crazy half ended level as further goals for Rees and Balanta stunned the Gallagher.

Skipper Sam Corne restored Maidstone’s lead early in the second half and this time they held on for a sixth successive home win and an eighth victory in their past 10 games.

The result keeps George Elokobi’s side bang in contention for a top-seven finish, while putting a big dent in Hornchurch’s title hopes.

A dominant start was rewarded as Maidstone took a sixth-minute lead.

Gilbert, having been involved in the build-up, pounced at the post after keeper Arthur Nasta failed to hold TJ Bramble’s strike from the edge of the box.

Maidstone doubled their lead in the 10th minute.

Kargbo’s flick-on from Lenny Holden’s goal-kick released Court and he ran in on goal and finished superbly.

The afternoon got even better for United as Kargbo powered home a header from Court’s corner in the 12th minute.

And it could have been four midway through the half but Nasta denied Court in a one-on-one after a mistake in the visitors’ defence.

After a tactical reshuffle that saw the introduction of top scorer Balanta, Hornchurch launched their fightback in the 25th minute.

Ex-Gills midfielder Rees was the scorer, producing a smart finish inside the box from Balanta’s cross.

The Urchins made it 3-2 in the 32nd minute, Rees setting up Balanta this time after Maidstone failed to deal with Sam Ling’s long throw.

Maidstone restored