Manager Jay Saunders wants his Maidstone players to start getting the credit they deserve.

United are five points clear at the top of Ryman League Division 1 South after back-to-back wins against Herne Bay and Whitstable.

And while second-placed Dulwich have three games in hand, boss Saunders, pictured, believes there’s an over-reaction whenever his side drop points in the race for promotion.

He said: "The team haven’t had the credit they deserve for what they’ve done this season. We’re top of the league and have won the most games and lost the least. We’ve also scored the most goals and conceded the least.

"On top of that, we’ve had two good cup runs and beaten four or five teams from higher levels, including a full-time club in Salisbury who were top of Conference South."

Maidstone go to Walton & Hersham on Saturday and host Folkestone at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday.

Saunders must decide whether to restore captain Shaun Welford to the side at Walton having left him on the bench for the 2-0 midweek win over Whitstable.

Nicky Humphrey (knee) and Tommy Osborne (neck) are out while Jerrome Sobers is likely to be on the bench after rejoining the club.