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Hakan Hayrettin said Maidstone showed character in abundance to fight back for a draw at Dorking last night.
Wanderers were heading for top spot in National South after Jason Prior added to George Elokobi’s first-half own goal.
But Kreshnic Krasniqi and a 90th-minute strike from substitute Joan Luque saw Maidstone take a point, one that moves them up to sixth place on goal difference.
Stones boss Hayrettin said: “I think we created more chances than them and could have won the game.
"But we knew at 2-0 down it’s about mental strength, it’s about character and determination and we showed that in abundance today.
“I know what I’ve got in that changing room. My job is to motivate, keep them on their toes and get the best out of them.
"Have I done that? I think most of the time I have, sometimes I haven’t.
"Sometimes when things don’t go well you look at yourself and I did have a good look at myself against Billericay (1-1 draw).
“I think we should be proud of what we’ve done tonight. We’ve got a good squad and I keep saying this, the team’s strong but the squad’s even stronger and that's proven.”
Luque was named on the bench as George Porter returned from injury, with Hayrettin opting for the more direct running of Charlie Seaman down the left.
The Spaniard replaced Justin Amaluzor with five minutes left and levelled in the final minute of normal time.
“Luque’s a tricky player,” said Hayrettin.
“Listen, I want him here, I think he’s got a massive part to play in our success.
“We’ve seen glimpses of what he can and tonight was no different. He’s come on, and no one likes to be running back as a defender.
“If you give anyone space, especially with Luque’s ability, he can come inside, go outside, he’s had a great shot and it’s gone in.”
The frustration for Hayrettin was the manner of Dorking’s two goals which threatened to spoil what was otherwise a good performance.
He said: “They’re a good team, they’re up there for a reason but I mean this, if we can play to our potential, we can beat anyone.
“What’s disappointing is teams aren’t really scoring good goals against us.
"The first goal is not good play by us at all. It’s one ball into the box, a mistimed header, a slash across the box and we’ve tapped it in our own goal.
“Really, up until that point, I thought we were on top on chances and I thought we caused them more problems.
“Now, if we can eradicate those mistakes it’ll be even better than where we are now.
"I know it’s work in progress but I was not happy at half-time with the way we conceded that goal.
"Saying that, I keep talking about personalities and characters.
"For the people I’ve played for and with, I’ve always been big on that because that sometimes helps you get through a game.
"The team-talk at half-time was about that.
"We went 2-0 down, which made it even harder, but I thought we deserved a point and maybe could have nicked it.
"Second half, I thought we camped in their half, apart from the chance they had.”
