CHELMSFORD City gave their National League South survival hopes a welcome boost with a 3-0 bank holiday win over Maidstone United.

The victory was important for the Clarets after they went down 1-0 to derby rivals Concord Rangers on Saturday.

Steve Cawley’s goal for the Beachboys gave the Canvey Island team the three points and, combined with the bottom three teams all winning, meant Kevin Maher’s troops were just two points adrift of the relegation zone heading into Monday’s fixture.

Jason Williams, on loan from Southend United, handed Chelmsford the lead in the 44th minute at the Melbourne Stadium after Callum Davies’ attempted clearance was charged down and passed to Williams.

The Stones had chances to level but Williams made the game safe for the hosts when he was teed up by substitute Luke Daley and fired past Maidstone goalkeeper Lee Worgan.

Daley added a stoppage-time winner when he planted his strike into the top corner of Worgan’s goal.

The win opened up a five-point gap on third-from-bottom St Albans City ahead of Chelmsford’s home league fixture against Bath City.

The visitors beat Weston-super-Mare 2-1 on Monday afternoon and head into this weekend’s game two points and two places below Chelmsford in 18th place.