Maidstone United manager Craig Fagan hails ‘a bit of brilliance’ from Tom Leahy as National League South leaders go three points clear with derby win at Tonbridge Angels

Craig Fagan described Tom Leahy’s derby winner at Tonbridge as a bit of brilliance as Maidstone extended their lead at the top of the table.

Former Angels striker Leahy marked his return to Longmead with a superb 80th-minute strike to send United three points clear of Dagenham at the National League summit.

He’d missed the 1-0 win over Weston on Saturday through illness but assured manager Fagan he was fine to feature on Tuesday night and was back in the starting XI.

Leahy, voted Maidstone’s player-of-the-month for August, justified his selection with a top-corner finish from outside the area after cutting inside on his left foot.

“It was a superb goal from Tom - a bit of brilliance,” said Fagan, speaking shortly after the final whistle.

“I spoke to him yesterday and again today and he assured me he was going to be fine.

“I just knew, even though he’d been ill, he was going to be fresher than some of the other players.

“He gives us a threat in behind and what a finish. He’s capable of that.”

Maidstone were kept busy defensively as Tonbridge took the game to them in the first half, carving out a series of chances.

Fagan called for a second-half improvement from his side and Leahy’s strike earned a fifth successive victory, along with extending their 100 per cent away record.

The Stones knew they’d been in a game against Alan Dunne’s men, who went into the derby third in the table and the highest scorers in National League South.

“Credit to Tonbridge - it was a proper derby game,” said Fagan. “They’re up there in the league for a reason. I’ve nothing bad to say about them in terms of the way they play the game.

“It was always going to be aggressive, it was always going to be end-to-end to a certain degree.

“I thought they