Roarie Deacon feels Maidstone have retained all the qualities that helped them pip Dorking to the National South title as the sides prepare to meet again.

The Stones showed that on Saturday when a late Sam Corne double saw them come from behind to beat York City 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium.

Hakan Hayrettin’s side refused to give in and are ready to dig deep again when they host Dorking, who came up via the play-offs, tonight.

Deacon’s magic on the wing set up both goals for Corne and he said: “It’s just us, isn’t it? The way we finished, it’s our game.

“We’ve got unbelievable character in the changing room, we never know when to lay down and take a defeat.

“Look at what we did last year, how many times we came from behind or a team were holding us to a draw and we were able to win. We’ve carried on the same character and the same ethic.

“It’s the gaffer driving it, it’s the players ourselves driving it.

“Everyone’s a big character, we know where we need to be and where we want to be.

“That ethos got us the championship last year and it’s going to get us a great position this season as well.

“We’ve got a lot of players who’ve played in the National League, and higher, we know what it’s about.

“Hopefully teams are going to underestimate us, and we’ll take that.

"I don’t think many people thought we were going to win the league last year, but we did, and if they want to underestimate us this season as well, we’ll go under the radar and do what we have to do.”

Deacon’s cross was met by Corne for Maidstone’s 79th-minute equaliser against York.

Two minutes later, the former Sutton winger went on a terrific run before laying on the winner.

He played almost exclusively down the right last season but, with Joan Luque recovering from knee surgery, Hayrettin employed him from the left against York to great effect.

The quality of his assists prove the point.

Deacon said: “That’s my game, I like to be one v one with players, I like to get at players, I like to assist, I get a buzz off playing that last pass for someone to put the ball in the net.

“Unfortunately, Luque is out for a while with his knee injury, so the gaffer put me on the left.

“It’s a position I like to play, I’ve played there a lot in the past.

“From either wing I can create for the team and that’s what I’m going to do.”