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More on KentOnline
Hakan Hayrettin couldn’t fault his players after Maidstone’s goalless draw at St Albans.
The Stones bossed Saturday’s National South game at Clarence Park and while they didn’t make the breakthrough, Hayrettin liked what he saw.
“If it was a boxing match it would have been stopped in the first 15 minutes, and we continued that in the second half,” said the Stones boss.
“I think their keeper was outstanding, he’s made some good saves, they defended unbelievably well in the box.
“To come here and get a point is good.
“I thought we were good all round, we dominated the game, won our phases, first and second, we put it in the right areas.
“It was all good. If there is a criticism maybe we didn’t have that clinical edge but away from home you get a point and do well at home, we’ll have a chance of doing something this season.
"But just in general our whole play was good, everything about us was good.
“I think for about 10 minutes in the second half we dropped the tempo, which is normal, you’re never going to be on top for the full 90 minutes, but we were in control.”
Saints boss Ian Allinson told Hayrettin Maidstone were the best side they’ve played this season.
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard said the same after last week's FA Trophy tie, even though they play a level up in the National League.
The compliments keep coming, with the draw moving Maidstone back up to second place after Ebbsfleet - Tuesday’s visitors to the Gallagher - lost 5-1 at Dorking.
“From my experience, it’s a good point and we’re looking forward to Tuesday now,” said Hayrettin.
“I’ve known Ian Allinson a long time. When I was first starting out managing he was at Boreham Wood many years ago and he’s a wily old fox.
“He knew everything about our players, even the ones that weren’t playing, so I knew it was going to be tough.
“He said to me, ‘Thank Christ that’s over’ because two or three more minutes and we could have nicked something.
“But it’s good, we’ve kept a clean sheet, we haven’t let in a lot of goals this season and we’re doing OK. We’ve just got to keep it going.”
