Maidstone boss Jay Saunders said the dismissal of captain Michael Phillips at AFC Hornchurch on Saturday was a disgrace.

Phillips was shown a second yellow card for taking a quick free-kick while referee Adam Crysell marked out 10 yards for the Urchins wall.

Saunders was adamant Phillips hadn't been told to wait for the whistle by Crysell who, 10 minutes earlier, sent off Alex Flisher for a challenge on Michael Spencer.

United manager Saunders told the club website: "Mickey Phillips' red card is a disgrace, an absolute disgrace.

"Mick's just tried to take a free-kick quick and he's turned round and booked him and sent him off.

"I don't believe there's any rules to stop you taking a quick free-kick because there's no advantage to us if the lads are near.

"He never asked him to wait for the whistle or anything."

The 1-0 defeat was Stones' sixth in a row on the road and they're down to third in the Ryman League Premier Division.

But Saunders was pleased with the performance, having questioned his players' attitude following the 3-1 loss at East Thurrock on Tuesday night.

He said: "I think we deserved something from it. I thought second half, with the wind behind us, we caused them problems.

"It was always going to be hard first half when they've got the wind with them and they're a big side and it's hard to get out of your half but second half I thought we were by far the better team.

"I questioned them Tuesday about their effort, workrate and commitment and I thought today was different class, even with nine men."