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There was pride in defeat for George Elokobi, who is convinced Maidstone have what it takes to stay up after their performance against Wrexham.
Jack Barham scored twice as United came from 2-0 down at the Gallagher, only for the National League title-chasers to pinch a 3-2 victory in the last minute.
It was a seventh successive league defeat but caretaker boss Elokobi, taking charge of only his second game after last weekend’s FA Trophy win at Notts County, had nothing but praise for his side.
Wrexham’s win extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and sent them level on points with leaders Notts but they certainly knew they’d been in a game.
“The players weren’t fazed by the occasion,” said Elokobi.
“They ensured they ran for each other, they stuck together and made sure all the way they tried to win the game.
“They can take pride in that and their performance and we as a management team are proud of them.
“We know what these players can do. We believe in their technical abilities, we believe in them as individuals and most of all we believe in them as a team.
“I couldn’t fault anyone out there today. My players gave everything.”
Maidstone are three points from safety, with an inferior goal difference, and have played more games than all the sides around them.
But Elokobi is embracing the challenge of reviving their fortunes, however long he’s in charge, and with everyone in it together, he can see them staying in the division.
“I like to think I’m a born leader and to be able to lead, you need to empower each and every individual,” he said.
“You need to listen and you have to make sure that when you listen, you try to apply from everyone’s contribution to make sure it’s in the best interests of the group.
“I’m passionate about the game and I try to bring a wealth of experience.
“With my management team, we try to pass on our experience to the players and give them tactical points and tactical plans to play from.
“We’ve put a structure in place and it’s good to see it falling into place.
“It’s not going to embed itself in one or two weeks but the players are getting it and they understand what is required.
“They understand the high standards we want but also to be bold, to be confident, to be resilient, to ensure they are hard to beat.
“The work ethic, as you can see today from the players, but also from the management team, everyone is pulling in one direction.
“We know the task ahead. We know as a group we have to try and get ourselves out of where we are and we’re confident we can do that.”
An ability to motivate and inspire those around him are immediate traits associated with Elokobi.
But you don’t have the Premier League and Football League career he did without being tactically astute.
He brought on Christie Pattisson for Sha’mar Lawson in a change of formation as Maidstone - despite competing well - went 2-0 down before the hour mark.
It worked as United put the pressure on and pulled a goal back with Barham following up after Pattisson’s shot was blocked.
Elokobi then turned the screw by introducing James Alabi in attack and he gave the Wrexham defence another problem as Barham headed the equaliser before going close to a winner himself.
The visitors nicked victory from a corner but Maidstone had shown what they were about.
“We sit down and come up with different tactical plans on different personnel that suit different roles within the team,” said Elokobi.
“That’s to make sure the team’s dynamics function smoothly and that’s exactly what we do.
“We try and make sure we give the group as much power to excel and the tactical plans today were about what if they do this or what if we’re in this position, what sort of personnel are we going to bring on?
“That’s why I’ve said, from day one, that each and every individual plays a part within the squad, as you’ve seen.
“The substitutes that came on made a massive difference and the ones that started made a great contribution, which is fantastic to see.”
