Frannie Collin is backing Maidstone to defy their lack of goals and make the National League South play-offs after leaving the Gallagher.

Collin scored 56 goals in 122 appearances for the Stones but couldn’t hold down a place this season and on Tuesday turned his loan deal with Ryman League Leatherhead into a permanent move.

Maidstone remain second with three months of the season left, despite only 28 goals in 26 games.

Collin, 28, feels the defensive qualities of Jay Saunders’ side will clinch a place in the top five.

He said: “They’ve had the issue of not scoring enough goals. People have been banging on about it all season but it’s February and they’re still up there.

“It’s pretty obvious Ebbsfleet will walk away with the league but I expect Maidstone to hold on to a play-off spot – then it’s a lottery."

Collin scored 31 goals in his first season after joining from Tonbridge and followed up with 23 as United won the Ryman League, Premier Division.

National League South was expected to suit his game but he lost his place after two games and barely featured again, also spending a month on loan at Herne Bay.

Collin believes he merited more of a chance given Stones’ lack of goals – Jay May their top scorer in the league with seven – but accepted he wasn’t going to feature.

He said: “I’ll always back myself to score goals. My record in Conference South is better than it is in the Ryman League and I think that level suits me better."

Full story in Friday's Kent Messenger