Stones boss Jay Saunders says the trip to Ryman League Division 1 South promotion rivals Worthing is his side’s most important game of the season so far.

Maidstone visit West Sussex on Saturday on the back of four straight defeats to face hosts who sit fifth, one place ahead of them on goal difference.

Stones’ return of one point from a possible 15 has left them nine points behind leaders Bognor and out of the play-off places.

Saunders (pictured) said: "It is a massive game. In terms of importance, for our confidence and belief, then it’s the most important game of the season so far.

"The next three games against Worthing, Corinthian Casuals and Whitstable are important. We need maximum points from them to get back up there."

Stones lost to last-minute goals at home to Walton Casuals on Saturday and at Folkestone on Wednesday and conceded costly penalties in both games.

Saunders added: "Before, we were on a 14-game run when things were going for us but now they are going against us. We deserved more out of the games.

"It’s important that we stick together. Things will pick up, we just need to pick up three points as soon as we can and we’ll get going on another run.

"Teams go through runs. We were getting all the plaudits for our great run but now we’re having a bad one."

"I have to be honest, after the run we had, I didn’t see this coming but we had a run of injuries and it hurt us."

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