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Jay Saunders felt Maidstone were better than Dover - even though they lost 4-1.
United dominated early on and had 20 shots over 90 minutes but were given a lesson in finishing as Moses Emmanuel’s double and goals for Ross Lafayette and Ricky Miller saw Whites run out big winners.
Boss Saunders said: “I know it sounds silly, and I am going to sound a fool for saying it, but if I’m honest with you, I thought we were the better side for the majority of it.
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“We created the most chances but we didn’t take them and that’s the long and short of it.
“It’s the most chances we’ve created for a long time and I was pleased with our forward play until the last bit, when it came to putting the ball in the net.”
Saunders had warned of the threat posed by Dover’s front three before the Christmas and new year double header.
Maidstone coped well in a 1-1 draw at Crabble on Boxing Day but it was a different story at the Gallagher on New Year’s Day.
Saunders said: “I don’t quite know how we’ve lost that game 4-1 but it just shows the difference between the teams at the top and the teams at the bottom.
“Moses has had two chances and put them away, Ross one and Ricky Miller one and they’ve put them away.
“God knows how many chances we created, we’ve not taken them and all of a sudden we find ourselves 1-0 down and chasing the game.
“Their finishing was first class and that’s why I’ve said their front three are probably as good as anything in this league and they’ve proved that tonight.”
The outcome might have been different had Maidstone been awarded a penalty when Yemi Odubade was taken down by Whites keeper Steve Arnold at 2-1.
Saunders was convinced it should have been given - and even Arnold was expecting referee Constantine Hatzidakis to point to the spot.
The Stones boss added: “Their keeper’s said to Yemi straight away it’s a penalty. I don’t think there’s any doubt and at 2-1 that becomes a key time. It was a stonewall penalty for me.”
