Maidstone United forward Lamar Reynolds discusses his eight-minute hat-trick at Eastbourne | Only previous Stones goal was in the FA Cup fourth-round win at Ipswich

Lamar Reynolds’ eight-minute hat-trick will encourage the Maidstone forward to shoot more often.

Reynolds had only scored once for the Stones before his rapid treble in a 5-1 win at Eastbourne on Good Friday.

That was his wonder strike in the FA Cup at Ipswich where he brilliantly chipped Tractor Boys keeper Christian Walton in the Stones’ shock fourth-round win at Portman Road.

Reynolds is his own biggest critic and knows he doesn’t go for goal enough.

But he’s seen what happens when he has the confidence to shoot and hopes to build on his efforts at Eastbourne as Maidstone close in on a National South play-off place.

“I’m always quite critical of myself in terms of I don’t think I shoot enough,” said Reynolds.

“Luckily I was able to get in positions to shoot, so hopefully that can boost me up and I can actually shoot more often because I showed what I can do.

“Hopefully I can have a few more shots before the season ends.”

Reynolds was introduced midway through the second half as a replacement for Bivesh Gurung with United 2-1 up against Eastbourne’s nine men.

He crashed home the crucial third goal five minutes from time before scoring a brilliant second from long distance in the final minute of normal time.

And when Maidstone were awarded a penalty in the third minute of added time, Reynolds got the nod from manager George Elokobi to step up even though regular taker Sam Corne was on the pitch.

He fired home off the underside of the bar.

“Sometimes you get those days where it’s just your moment to shine,” said Reynolds.

“The gaffer told us in the changing room before the game even started, subs are always going to be more important than the starting line-up because you never know what might happen.

“We may need a sub