Hakan Hayrettin has explained his decision to substitute Maidstone under-23 development squad player Jordan Tingley after just 15 minutes.

Tingley replaced fellow under-23 forward Ollie Freeman at half-time of United's 1-0 Kent Senior Cup defeat by Dartford on Tuesday night.

But he soon made way himself, with Cypriot trialist Leandros Lillis on in his place, but it was nothing personal.

The change was purely tactical as Maidstone, down to 10 men after Lewis Knight’s first-half red card, tried to find a way back into the game.

Hayrettin has big respect for Simon Austin and Kane Rice’s development squad, who are top of the Suburban League, and was pleased with Freeman and Tingley.

The Stones head coach said: "It was a good opportunity to see a couple of the youngsters who've come from the under-23s who, by the way, are doing an excellent job and we're in touch with them on a weekly basis.

"Ollie, it's new to him, the way we play, and he worked ever so hard.

• Boucaud v Messi

"Jordan came on and did well as well but, tactically, we had to make a change.

"He did well when he was on but we had to change it.”

Holders Maidstone were beaten by Ky Marsh-Brown’s first-half cracker but Hayrettin was happy enough with their performance.

He said: “Especially when we went down to 10 men I think we played ever so well.

"It was an even game. We did OK in the first half but we were good in the second half with 10 men.

"It's important for us to win games but the league's more important."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent