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Jay Saunders feels the toughest test of Maidstone’s run-in could be out of the way after beating Barrow.
United moved four points clear of the National League relegation zone after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at the Gallagher on Saturday.
The Cumbrians arrived in sixth place and were a big, strong team.
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But Saunders’ men coped well and played some really good football as goals from Joe Pigott and Stuart Lewis pushed them up to 18th place.
United have title-chasing Lincoln, Tranmere and Forest Green to play in their last seven games - but there was something about Barrow that concerned the manager.
He said: “This one I wasn’t looking forward to. I felt this would be our biggest test for the last eight games.
“I thought this was really going to test our unbeaten run but we’ve shown we can deal with it, which is good.
“Barrow are obviously a side that are pushing for the play-offs, a big, physical side and Paul Cox has got them well drilled.
“We had to defend well and I thought we did that for most of it.
“They’re a threat from set-pieces. We knew that was going to be the case and we wanted to limit them set-piece wise.
“When they were getting a few at the end I thought maybe they’d nick one but we dealt with 90% of it well and I always fancy us going forward at the moment.”
Pigott levelled in the final minute of the first half and with Stones well on top after the break, Lewis grabbed the winner.
Saunders said: “We kept going and probably the team spirit in the side and the way we’re going at the moment is epitomised by that second goal.
“I think Stuart Lewis has just not given up on it and he’s sort of run and run and kept going and that’s shown the spirit we’ve got in there and the run we’re on at the moment.”
Lewis’ effort was the first Maidstone goal in front of the new North Stand.
They traditionally attack the Town End in the second half but the decision was taken out of their hands.
Saunders said: “That stand has transformed the ground. It was a great place to come anyway but I was chatting to Paul Cox, their manager, before the game and he was saying what a great little set-up we’ve got here and the support was excellent.
“I must admit me and Lee Worgan talked about changing ends and going the other way first and I was against it because of my superstitions but we lost the toss and went that way anyway, so it worked out OK. I might be a bit more comfortable with us going that way now!”
