George Fowler is well aware of the importance of securing home advantage in the play-offs for Maidstone.

The Stones secured a top-seven National League South finish this season with a 1-0 victory at Farnborough last weekend and then saw off Weymouth 2-0 on Tuesday.

Maidstone are third in the league, only behind second-placed Chelmsford on goal difference, but only two points ahead of fifth-placed Braintree.

With the third highest attendances in the division - only behind champions-elect Yeovil and Torquay - Maidstone would dearly love to be playing their showdown games at the Gallagher Stadium.

Having beaten Weymouth in front of 2,132, including just 31 away fans, Fowler said: “That’s why it’s extra important we get that (home advantage) because we know we will have a massive crowd behind us.

“Throughout the whole season, they have been that 12th man for us. That’ll be that real
extra push we need when it comes to the play-offs.

“Fingers crossed, we can get the home fixtures and I’m sure the home crowd will turn out in their numbers.”

Report: Maidstone 2-0 Weymouth

Fast start delights Stones manager

Maidstone have taken 22 points from the last 24 available but Fowler knows they cannot afford to rest on their laurels for their final two regular league games.

“The last thing you want to do in any sort of way is take your foot off the gas because then there could be a team slightly lower down that has momentum (in the play-offs),” he explained.

“It’s an even playing field at that point when you get to the play-off games - it doesn’t matter if you finish second or you finish seventh.

“So, it’s really important we keep the momentum going.”

While the Stones have plenty to play for, so, too, do Truro City as the teams meet at Gloucester City this Saturday, with Truro not yet having preserved their National League South status.

The defender, recalled in one of four changes against Weymouth, said: “They have so many games in hand which they have been playing throughout the week.

“It’ll be a tough match because they have got something to fight for to remain in the league.

“We’re going there full of optimism that we can get the three points, but fully aware that it will be tough.”