Stretton's four minutes sink Maidstone and tighten National League South

Saturday at the Gallagher Stadium told you most of what you need to know about the state of the National League South. Maidstone United led through Nana Boateng's 42nd-minute penalty, having already lost their FA Cup tie to Cray Wanderers in midweek, and were undone by four minutes of Jack Stretton. The Truro City striker struck from close range on 76 minutes, then glanced in Will Dean's mishit effort four minutes later. Craig Fagan's side hit the post through Stan Leech and were denied on the line by Zachary Bell in stoppage time. It was Maidstone's second league defeat in a row.

The beneficiaries were in Essex. Billericay Town beat Torquay United 3-0 in front of more than 1,700 at New Lodge, with goals from Bonne, Callum Watts and Jon Benton, the latter now scoring in five successive matches. Danny Scopes's side sit fourth, a point off the top. Farnham Town, in their first season at Step 2 after three promotions in three years, made it five unbeaten by edging Weston-super-Mare 3-2, Owen Dean opening, Louie Derrick equalising, and Daryl Sanders scoring twice before Jacob Jagger Cane's late goal made the closing minutes uncomfortable.

Dorking Wanderers and Braintree Town produced the afternoon's oddity: 4-3 at Meadowbank, with Fletcher Hubbard scoring twice in the space of three first-half minutes and Dawid Rogalski twice replying for the hosts. Dover Athletic made it four wins in all competitions, Luke Baptiste and Jack Bates seeing off AFC Totton in front of 870, while Chesham United, a week on from their FA Cup progress, lost 4-0 at home to Maidenhead United.

In the north, Macclesfield moved second courtesy of Danny Elliott's 20th-minute free-kick against Harborough Town, watched by 2,831. Leaders Hereford were pegged back at Bedford Town by Reece Evans's stoppage-time equaliser in front of 1,432. King's Lynn Town won 5-0 at AFC Telford United — a Carlton Ubaezuonu hat-trick among the goals — a result Kevin Wilkin called "unacceptable", adding that "we've let people down today". Chester beat Worksop Town 4-1, Billy Waters scoring twice, and Spennymoor Town recovered from two down at Southport through a Glen Taylor brace.

Darlington, still without a home win, brought back Jacob Hazel on loan from Chester and drew 1-1 with Hebburn Town, Liam Murray's long-range strike earning the visitors a point on the afternoon of his 100th start.