Simon Walton is the man to ensure standards remain high at Maidstone.

United feel they are getting somewhere after FA Cup wins over Leyton Orient and Macclesfield and a three-match unbeaten run in the National League.

The performance in a 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Saturday gave United further encouragement and midfielder Walton won't tolerate anyone letting standards drop.

He said: "There's bigger teams in this league than the one above now.

"It's getting tougher each year and clubs like Maidstone, we've got to step up.

"When you play these big teams it's not a day out any more.

"We're in the same league, we're at the same level and we've got as much right to be on this pitch as the big teams.

"We've proved that the last few weeks by getting the results we've got.

"We won't get ahead of ourselves and think we're better than we are because that's when you get bitten on the bum.

"But we're going the right way and we're competing with these teams.

"I'm not going to sit here and say what went off before because I haven't got a clue.

"The memo when I came in was we needed to be harder to beat, more organised, fitter.

"I think they're the main-stays for any good team and anyone can see those three things have all been improved."

Former Leeds man Walton blew his top when Maidstone trailed Macclesfield at half-time in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.

It had the desired effect as United won 2-1 and the players impressed against Wrexham.

Walton said: "I said it last week in a more verbal manner than now but we've got to keep our standards high and the second we let them drop we'll get beaten and battered by teams like this.

"Our standards have to be high day in, day out, no matter who we play.

"Last week was blue, with a lot of steam!

"It's the sign of a good team. You get in a bad dressing room with bad players and people sulk, people fight and we lose that game three or 4-0 but we got the right reaction."

Walton says Maidstone's commitment is also showing on the training ground.

He added: "Training's getting a little bit nigglier, which is fine. That's the sign of a good team, good attitude, will to win and wanting to do well.

"We work hard and we demand from each other, not just me, everyone demands from each other, and it's starting to show on the pitch now."