James Alabi has told his Maidstone team-mates it’s time to man up and fight for each other.

The Stones have slipped to 20th in the National League after a run of six games without a win.

They’re bottom of the form table after five defeats in their last six matches - including four in a row after going down 4-3 at Barnet on Tuesday.

Maidstone host fellow strugglers FC Halifax at the Gallagher Stadium this Saturday (3pm), the Shaymen having moved above Hakan Hayrettin’s side with their midweek win over York.

Striker Alabi, who’s made back-to-back starts, has played the majority of his career in the National League for the likes of Chester, Tranmere, Dover, Leyton Orient and Bromley.

He knows what Maidstone must do to get themselves going.

“It’s a case of us being men on the pitch and understanding that this is a much tougher league,” said Alabi.

“The gaffer says it all the time - this is basically an extension of League 2.

“You’ve got quality players and one mistake and the ball’s in the back of the net.

“I’ve been at this level for the last six or seven years, and it’s a tough league.

“I always say football’s not physical, it’s about mentality.

“Us as players, forget the manager, we’re the only people that can put it right.

“It just comes from having a mentality to win a game and knowing what it takes to win a game.

“It might not be pretty, it might not be the best football, it’s a situation where people have to stand up and be counted.

“A lot of teams in the past have been in this position and gone hiding, so this is a test for us to stand up and be counted and show ourselves that we can get out of this rut.

“You lose a game, you lose confidence, but there’s enough in the changing room to turn it around because all it takes is one win for you to get that confidence and go on a run.

“Whether it’s against Halifax, Chesterfield or Wrexham, we know we have to get points on the board.

“That’s the nature of the game and when we’re back in at training, we’ve got to have a chat first and say, ‘Listen, forget the football, just go out there and fight for each other and fight for the fans’.

“That’s my main message. Every time I get an opportunity to be on the pitch, I’m going to fight for Maidstone United FC.”

Hayrettin was pleased with Alabi’s contribution after pairing him up front with Jack Barham for the first time at Barnet.

It has the makings of a good partnership if Hayrettin can find a way to accommodate two strikers.

Alabi’s determined to stay in the side having operated mainly from the bench this season.

“It was getting frustrating for me,” he said. “Any player who goes to a club, you want to make sure you’re the man to score goals and help the team.

“Now that I’ve found myself in the team, I’m going to make sure I stay in the team and get Maidstone up the table.

“Whether we play with one up or two, I’m going to do my best. It’s noticeable if I’m playing there’s going to be issues for the opposition.

“Defenders will never get any rest and I can chip in with goals as well.

• Hak on Barnet defeat

“It can take a few games to get a partnership going but in training me and Jack talk to each other and tell each other what we’re going to do.

“He tells me his strengths, he knows my strengths, so it’s a case of getting a run of games together and building that partnership so we can both be firing.

“Chester are the only club who’ve really put their trust in me to play. I played 58 games and scored 25 goals, so it’s a case of getting the opportunity and I’ll prove myself.

"I don’t want to be coming off the bench and scoring, this is an opportunity for me to come and play 40 games and get the goals.

“I’m 100% certain I’ll get a lot of goals if I get a run of games.”