Chris Kinnear, the manager of Maidstone’s Kent rivals Dover, says 3G fans aren’t telling the truth about the surface.

United host Whites at the Gallagher Stadium on New Year’s Day with Kinnear expecting a different game to the Boxing Day draw at Crabble, simply because of the 3G pitch.

Those who say 3G plays no differently to grass are wide of the mark, according to Kinnear.

He said: “It’ll be a little bit different because the surface does make a massive difference and anyone who says it doesn’t is totally wrong and not telling the truth.

“Whether it’s good or bad, that’s personal preference, but it does make a difference so it will be a different type of game.

“It does hold up a little bit, the bounce is a little bit different. To be fair, I feel for forwards.

“It’s not easy for forwards, even though you get lots of goals, and sometimes goalkeepers have got to come to terms with it a little bit more.

“Early on they were running out and the ball was holding up and then other times it would skid but if clubs want it, that’s their prerogative.”

Kinnear feels the 3G pitch favours Maidstone as the home side even though they’ve won only three times at the Gallagher this season.

He said: “It’s got to help the home side, there’s no doubt about that, because if it doesn’t you’re not doing your job."