Substitute Shaq Coulthirst scored a 13-minute hat-trick as Maidstone climbed to second place in National League South.

Coulthirst had his best day in a Stones shirt after replacing the injured Sol Wanjau-Smith during the second half.

He bagged a rapid treble, adding to Ben Brookes’ penalty opener, as George Elokobi’s side made it seven wins in a row and extended their unbeaten run to 18 games.

The onus was firmly on Maidstone to break down a stubborn Enfield side who got men behind the ball and, understandably, showed little ambition.

Maidstone bossed possession, carving out several half-chances early on, but anything clear-cut was proving hard to come by against their determined opponents.

George Fowler sent an effort over and worked keeper Rhys Forester with a low strike, while Charlie Seaman fired wide from 20 yards.

Midway through the half, space opened up for Jordan Higgs, who sent his shot into the stand, Corne’s strike went out for a corner off defender Billy Leonard, and Fowler headed on to the roof of the net following a neat move involving Seaman, Ben Brookes and Corne.

Maidstone’s persistence paid off when they took the 35th-minute lead from the penalty spot.

Referee Tommy Breen pointed to the spot after Brookes’ free-kick was handled, and it was Brookes who stepped up, sending Forester the wrong way.

Sam Youngs had a header tipped over by Alexis Andre Jr as Enfield opened up after falling behind.

Soon after, Henry Hawkins planted a free header wide from a corner when well-placed to equalise.

Tayt Trusty tried his luck for the Stones after Temi Eweka and Aaron Blair combined at the start of the second half.

Blair’s pass then released Seaman before the hour mark but Forester came off his line to make the save.

There was a blow for the hosts when Wanjau-Smith went off with his arm in a makeshift sling but that opened the door for Coulthirst.

Enfield were still in the game, with Stones defender Reiss Greenidge alert to snuff out a chance for substitute Anointed Chuckwu on the edge of the six-yard box.

But their hopes of getting anything out of it evaporated when Maidstone doubled their lead 10 minutes from time.

Blair did well down the right and squared for substitute Coulthirst, who confidently beat Forester.

The pair - so effective together at Braintree last season - combined again as Maidstone made the game safe in the 85th minute.

Blair was again the provider, feeding Coulthirst and he gave Forester no chance.

Coulthirst completed his hat-trick in the third minute of added time, dinking home the loose ball after Forester could only parry Riley Court’s strike.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Fowler, Eweka, Greenidge, Higgs, Trusty (Gurung 76mins), Seaman (Court 88mins), Corne (Brown 88mins), Wanjau-Smith (Coulthirst 64mins), Blair. Subs not used: Holden.

Enfield: Forester, Payne, Benjamin, Thompson, Parcell, Smooth (Chukwu 71mins), Brown, Leonard, Hawkins (Adjei-Hersey 89mins), Youngs, Kaunda. Subs not used: Hutchinson, Beckles-Richards, Lambert.

Referee: Tommy Breen.

Attendance: 2,659.