Stuart Smith stunned much-fancied Maidstone United with a stunning hat-trick inside 60 minutes - only to be substituted and then slated by his own manager. Midfielder Smith, 29, fired his first treble as a senior player in front of 400 jubilant Town fans at Salters Lane on Thursday last week. But he revealed that boss Terry Cordice, who prefers to be called TC, was not about to let him get too carried away. Smith, who played for TC at Maidstone Reserves last season, said: "He told me I was rubbish but he was joking, I think! "I was chuffed to score a hat-trick. The last time I did that was when I was about six years old. "I'm really pleased with how it is going. I used to be a striker but ended up in midfield but the way TC has us playing with three in the middle lets me push on and it's great." TC revealed that he was indeed joking and his smile was clear for all to see after Town's most impressive performance of pre-season. He said: "I've spoken to people who are neutrals and they, like me, couldn't see any difference between the two teams and that is very pleasing. "I thought we bossed the game and Smithy took his goals well. Again, he is a player we've had inquiries about from other clubs. But these lads are not going anywhere. They want to be part of this club's first season believe me." But while it was all smiles for the home side at Salters Lane, Maidstone United coach Alan Walker was anything but happy with what he described as an "absolute shambles". The former Gillingham centre-half told the Maidstone United website: "The players are under no illusions that that sort of performance is not acceptable for Maidstone United. "All three of their goals were embarrassing and although we got three I didn't think we troubled them that much." Smith made a sensational start against his old club with an excellent build up ending with a low shot past goalkeeper Pat Mullin in the very first minute. Lee Sperring levelled after 10 minutes with a firm header and he scored again to put the Stones in front. But a quickfire double from Smith after the break put Maidstone on the ropes and Town in the driving seat. The first was a brilliant individual effort with Smith starting inside his own half and evading a series of challenges before sending a cute chip over Mullin. Smith completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes but Town were to suffer agony at the finish for the second time this summer. Sittingbourne scored a last-gasp winner to lift the Bob Amor Memorial Cup last month and this time Town were undone by a handball in the box. New signing Mo Takaloo made no mistake from the penalty spot as Town were left cursing their misfortune. Their misery was compounded by the knowledge that they could well have had a spot-kick of their own following what looked like a blatant foul on Dean Wallington. But referee Philip Knight was having none of it and Town were forced to settle for a share of the honours. Yet with Smith in such fine form and TC finally able to field a more settled team, hopes are high for a first win when it matters most - against Milton Athletic in the league opener on Saturday. Faversham Town's reserve team have made an unbeaten start to their pre-season campaign They opened with a 2-2 draw against County League side Tyler Hill on Monday before thumping UK Paper 4-0 on Wednesday.