Maidstone United manager Craig Fagan sees his side go second in National League South after 4-1 victory at Hampton & Richmond

Maidstone’s victory at Hampton & Richmond confirmed a good opening month for manager Craig Fagan and his players.

The Stones sit second in the early National League South standings, two points behind leaders Dagenham, following a 4-1 win at the Beveree on Bank Holiday Monday.

Four wins and a draw since losing to Farnborough have shown genuine promise as Maidstone look to challenge for a play-off spot up against some big-spending rivals.

“It’s been a good first month,” said Fagan, who saw Tom Leahy’s double and goals from Leone Gravata and Riley Court sink Hampton & Richmond.

“Starting as a new management team, or a new manager, you want to try and put your stamp on the team and luckily at the start it’s kind of gone our way.

“I’m not saying we’ve smashed it - the coming months will be hard - but you have to remember we’ve had three players missing, two that are just starting to come back now, so there’s a little bit more depth. But the lads that are here are hungry to play.”

Fagan added: “We need as many people match-fit as we can to keep us where we are in the play-offs. That was the aim. Be in and around the play-offs. I’m not standing here now saying we’re going to be winning the league, not at all.

“But with our budget and our squad we need to be pushing for the play-offs and see where that takes us. If we’re on a good run, then hopefully it continues.

Report: Hampton 1-4 Maidstone

“It’s nice to see the table but it can all change in three games’ time.

“We just have to keep performing, the players have to keep listening to myself and Rob (Tuvey, assistant manager), and try and keep being in games.

“With the attacking players we’ve got, we always think we can nick something, even if we go a goal down.

“With our