Hendon climbed into the top half of the Ryman League Premier Division table for the first time since September and, at the same time, increased Maidstone United's relegation fears with a 3-0 victory at Vale Farm on Monday night. A third win in a row came courtesy of a trio of second-half goals, all in the last 25 minutes, during which time they could have doubled that tally.

Playing their fifth game in nine days, Hendon rang the changes, with James Reading, Danny Dyer and Craig Vargas coming in for Berkley Laurencin, Dave Diedhiou and Casey Maclaren, respectively. Lubomir Guentchev and Scott Cousins were both pushed forward to allow Vargas to slot back into his usual slot at the back and cover for the loss of Maclaren's threat up front.

Maidstone, who came into the match just two points and one place above the relegation zone, made a bright start, but failed to find the target with a couple of good early openings. A header from Adrian Stone went just wide, while Danny Hockton put an effort just over the bar.

The Stones then suffered a trio of first half injury blows as Ant Bodle went off after 18 minutes. He was replaced by Errison Arwhan. Stone was lost to a head injury before half-time, too, Lynden Rowland taking over from him, and Antonio Gonella picked up an ankle injury which curtailed his evening - though he was not withdrawn in favour of Ashley Ulph until 15 minutes of the match remained.

The Vale Farm surface had been watered before the game, leaving the top surface relatively slick, but with the ground underneath still solid it meant players on both sides struggled to get any grip at times, particularly a problem in the first half.

However, Hendon's passing game gradually improved and they began to ask questions of the visiting defence. Putting efforts on target, as for Maidstone, proved to be difficult for the Greens and although a 50-yard free-kick from Jamie Busby dropped just wide of the target and strikes from Dean and Guentchev had Andy Walker scrambling across his goal, the goalkeeper was limited to catching a couple of crosses and clearing his lines from back-passes.

Hendon's best chance of the half came when an attempted lob from Guentchev didn't quite have enough height to beat Walker, who still had to be sharp to catch it.

At the other end, Reading was only slightly busier. He was forced to make a couple of routine saves. One from Hockton was a smart catch, but the striker's header was poorly directed - anything towards the inside of either post would surely have brought him the opening goal.

Maidstone ended the first half with only ten men, Gonella having hurt his ankle in a midfield challenge. He had a quick fitness test before the teams came out for the second half and satisfied the physio that he was able to continue, although he certainly lacked a bit of mobility.

After the interval, Hendon upped their tempo and took complete control of the game. The Maidstone defence was hanging on, though Hendon still failed to actually hit the target in the opening 19 minutes.

In the 65th minute, Scott Cousins pressured Nathan Paul into a pass back to Walker. He was shut down by Busby, so passed the ball towards James Peacock and Jermaine Darlington. The pass was poor leaving the former Hendon man was unable to get a decent first touch, and Dean pounced on the loose ball. If Walker had put the ball out of play, Dean wouldn't have gained possession.

A quick pass from Dean to Guentchev opened up the Maidstone defence and Guentchev, with great unselfishness, took Walker out of the equation with his pass to Busby, whose run met the ball and it was despatched into the bottom corner.

Hendon nearly doubled their lead within 90 seconds - Guentchev attempting a scissor kick reminiscent of his father Bontcho who was looking on from the terrace. Unfortunately for the Greens, the ball spun wide of the far post.

However, it only took a few more minutes before the advantage was doubled. Dyer, who spent the second half running rings around Darlington, turned the former QPR wing-back inside out then beat him in a sprint to the by-line and squared the ball across the face of goal. Arriving unmarked and late at the far post was Dean who slipped the ball into the net with Walker helpless.

Instead of chasing the game, Maidstone rather gave up the ghost. For the next ten mintues at least, their passing became rather lax and wave after wave of Hendon attack had the Stones on the rocks. With a little better finishing and composure from Hendon, the rocking Stones might have rolled over.

It wasn't until there was only three minutes to go before the continued pressure told though, Hendon forced a corner which was played towards Dyer at the near corner of the penalty area. He drove the ball through a crowd of players towards the far post and while a small deflection took it just away from Craig Vargas, Burgess benefited and completely unmarked three yards out took the opportunity to nod the ball into the net for his third goal in 298 Hendon first-team appearances. While almost all of his teammates mobbed Burgess, Vargas was pounding the ground in frustration: the goal meant that he is the only remaining regular Hendon outfield player without a goal this season.

Vargas then moved to play up front for the last few minutes, in search of the elusive goal, whilst Busby covered for him in his normal role at left back.

"We were very solid defensively in the first half," said a delighted Hendon manager Gary McCann, "but we were a bit tentative going forward.

"I thought the players would be very tired - we were playing our fifth game in nine days - and our play might reflect that, but they showed great commitment and attitude.

"I said to the players at half time that they should relax and start to play with more freedom. And they were outstanding in the second half. We played with great purpose and our passing was excellent.

"Once we had scored it could have been as many as we wanted. It took a special effort from our centre forward to have the desire to want to close down Jermaine Darlington like that and because he worked hard, the team got its reward."