Luque could miss run-in

Hakan Hayrettin says Joan Luque’s season could be done after a knee injury in Maidstone’s win at Dartford. Star man Luque left Princes Park on crutches following the league leaders’ crucial

1-0 victory on Easter Monday. The Spanish winger, United’s 22-goal leading scorer, may have to sit out the final four games as Hayrettin’s side bid to pip Dorking to the National South title.

“It’s serious but we don’t know how serious,” said manager Hayrettin. “It may be season-ending.

“When the ball was off the pitch he got a nudge and twisted his knee. We’ll have to see how he is.”

Maidstone are three wins from the title after Jack Barham’s first-half header ended Dartford’s unbeaten home record.

Dan Wilks’ penalty save denied Barham a second goal but one was enough as Hayrettin’s men completed the double over Darts and maintained their four-point advantage over Dorking.

“We went 1-0 up, we could have had another one with the penalty and we’ve had the better chances,” said Hayrettin.

“They may have had more of the ball in the second half but our gameplan was to play on the counter attack and we could have scored two or three in the second half. “I know they’ve hit the post in the first half but we’ve hit the bar twice ourselves in the second half.

“We’ll take the points, we’re humble, we’re happy, but we must stay focused on our jobs. It’s one game at a time. “I’ll keep pushing these boys to the max to get results. “That’s my job, what’s what I get paid to do, I’m good at my job, I know my job.

“I know what buttons to push and I’ve got to keep pushing them.

“I’ve said before, this process isn’t over until the last kick of the last game of the season. “That’s the defining moment of the season, not now. “There’s still four games to go-12pointstoplayforand anything can happen.” Maidstone trained on Easter Sunday in preparation for a Dartford side who were unbeaten at home.

Their commitment paid off with a thoroughly professional performance. “We had them in training on Sunday,” said Hayrettin. “We went through Dartford’s different formations and different ways they’re going to play.

“They’ve assembled a good squad here, we watched them at Billericay on Friday (2-0 win) and they could have won by a lot more.”