Maidstone’s decision to replace goalkeeper Tom Hadler is a case of “starting somewhere” as they bid to arrest their slide.

Hadler was dropped in favour of Millwall loanee Ryan Sandford for the Stones’ 1-0 defeat by Slough on Saturday.

Four defeats in five league and cup games led to the change and while nobody is blaming Hadler for United’s dip, Sandford, who’s initially on board for a month, got the nod against Slough.

Assistant manager Terry Harris is backing Hadler to come back stronger from the disappointment.

“It’s not only Tom’s fault, let me just say that, the past five results,” said Harris.

“The fact we’ve brought a goalkeeper in, it’s not everyone blames Tom Hadler.

“He’s actually done OK, he’s pulled off some good saves but you just think, OK, we’ve got to start somewhere.

“We knew of Ryan Sandford anyway, he’s a good keeper and he had very little to do today and apart from pick the ball out of the net.

“It’s nothing on Tom whatsoever but at the end of the day we’ve got games to win.

“He’s disappointed, of course he is, and I’d be disappointed in him if he wasn’t disappointed.

“But he’s big enough and strong enough to take it on the chin and come back a better goalkeeper.”

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