Maidstone celebrated closing in on safety with an impromptu ride on a party bus.

With United buzzing after a 2-1 win at Gateshead on Saturday, it was flashing lights and dance music all the way back to Newcastle train station.

The players loved their replacement bus service and the locals looked pretty amused when a football team clambered off a vehicle usually reserved for Geordie hen and stag dos.

Scroll down for audio

It might not have been so much fun had Maidstone lost but it’s been a long time since that happened with Jay Saunders’ men up to 16th place in the National League after extending their unbeaten run to nine matches.

For the fourth game running they came from a goal down to go five points clear of the drop zone.

They’re on 50 points and boss Saunders reckons a win at Macclesfield on Tuesday would all-but clinch safety.

He said: “I think if you get to 52 that pretty much will guarantee you.

"I’d like to think the way we’ve been playing we’re capable of getting another win but I just said to the boys in there, let’s keep the unbeaten run going.

“Why not try and go another three games unbeaten? I’d love to go 10 unbeaten. That would be an unbelievable achievement in this league.

“Nine is fantastic and, like I say, a month or so ago I don’t think a lot of people would have thought we would do that so it’s a big win.”

Bobby-Joe Taylor made the difference in the north east, coming off the bench to win the corner for United’s own-goal equaliser before scoring the winner.

Saunders said: “It’s been hard for Bob. He’s been out the side but like I just said to him, the best way you can respond is to come on and do something.

“I had a good chat with him in the week about his end product and just said you’ve got to get that right.

“I’m pleased for him because it’s been hard and he’s been very down lately, his head’s gone down, I can see in training.

“It’s difficult because you know if the team’s doing well, there’s not a lot you can do.

“All I want is players that when they come on is to make a difference and show me what they’re capable of.

“He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt about it. He’s probably our top scorer, it’s just that end product he’s got to get.”

United’s two goals came in the space of three minutes and Saunders said: “It’s a good win. It’s been a long day. We set off early this morning so to get three points is massive.

"I’d have been happy with a point here, especially at 1-0 down, but all in all I thought it was a decent enough performance. I don’t think they really caused us too many problems.”

Read the match report from Maidstone's 2-1 win at Gateshead