Alex Flisher revealed Maidstone targeted the Truro defender whose mistake led to their crucial second goal.

Flisher forced an error from Aaron Bentley after running on to Jamie Coyle’s pass and scored as United secured a 2-0 cushion in the first leg of the National League South play-offs.

He said: “I saw the defender was quite slow so I just chased him down, got a touch and I was in. He was the weaker of the two centre-backs and we tried to play on him, purely because the other geezer’s 6ft 6in, a bit of a giant.

Maidstone have won all three meetings this season and Flisher feels Truro struggle to deal with the physical threat of Jay Saunders’ side.

He added: “I just don’t think they can handle the presence. We scored from a long throw and a couple of crosses when we won here in the league and the first goal tonight has come from a long throw and a bit of magic by Joe Healy.

“Defensively they struggle with balls in their box and we’ve got quite a big side to put balls in."

Flisher believes an early goal in the second leg at the Gallagher on Sunday would effectively put the tie beyond doubt, with Ebbsfleet away or Whitehawk at home next up should Stones reach the final.

Flisher said: “Two-nil is a dodgy scoreline because if they get an early goal, we’ve got to handle the pressure of them attacking us. But if we get an early goal I think that’ll put us on top and hopefully we’ll be comfortable."