George Elokobi reminded everyone what Maidstone must stand for under his management following their defeat by St Albans.

The Stones dropped back out of the National League South play-off places on goal difference after losing 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium.

A pedestrian first-half performance saw them trail to a Shaun Jeffers goal and to compound their misery George Fowler was dismissed shortly before the break.

Matt Rush pulled a goal back after Gio Rasulo doubled City’s lead, with boss Elokobi taking heart from the way his side approached the second half.

That’s what he wants to see.

“When teams come here, we have to be on the front foot,” he said.

“That’s been our principle, our structure, our strategy, being on the front foot and trying to make sure we put teams under pressure.

“In the second half, we were much better than the first half. We have to go for it.

“At this stage of the season, we can’t be scared.

“Ten men, 11 men, a goal down, two goals down, our principle has been we are a team that play high-intensity and we have to go for stuff.

“All credit to our group of players, the ones on the pitch and the subs who came on. They had a right old go.

“A little bit of creativity in the final third, and a bit of composure, and we should have nicked a draw.

“It wasn’t to be but we need to move on and move on fast because the games are coming thick and fast.”

Report: Maidstone 1-2 St Albans

Rush’s 76th-minute strike, after meeting Jephte Tanga’s cross, set up a big finish.

Maidstone pushed for an equaliser but play-off rivals St Albans - 3-2 winners when the sides met in November - completed the double.

“There is always belief,” said Elokobi.

“When you’re down to 10 men, it’s a tough one being on the front foot but we saw excellent desire from our group of players who put in everything towards the end.

“They showed a lot of quality in that second half and they didn’t stop running for one another, and that’s what we take out of the game today.”

Fowler’s dismissal, for a challenge on Zane Banton, left Maidstone with it all to do.

Referee Ayrton Hursey’s decision looked harsh on first viewing while an offside call against Rush at the end of normal time brought the bench to their feet.

Elokobi stayed out of the controversy.

“I don’t get involved with the officiating,” he said.

“I’m not an official. Whatever they see, good luck to them.”

He added: “That’s not my job. They see it, they analyse it and they make a decision. It is what it is. I’m not a manager who moans about officials. There’s plenty of points to play for.”

Maidstone, in eighth, host second-placed Chelmsford on Tuesday (7.45pm).