Jay Saunders felt for Stuart Lewis after the Maidstone midfielder was sent off on his return to Ebbsfleet.

Lewis was dismissed in injury time for a challenge on Andy Drury, the man who took his place in the Fleet team after signing from Eastleigh.

His evening had passed without incident before the clash with Drury and Saunders wasn't about to criticise his player after Stones' 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night.

Saunders said: "I'll have to see it again to be honest.

"In all fairness I know Andy Drury well, I played with him and he's not the type to make a meal out of nothing but I would really have to see it again.

"For me, I did think he got the ball first but then caught him but I don't want to comment on it and get something wrong.

"It's harsh on him coming back here and getting booed off because I know he was a fans' favourite here, so I feel for him a little bit."

Saunders felt Maidstone were well in the game before Luke Coulson punished a mistake by Seth Twumasi midway through the second half, followed by Danny Kedwell's clincher.

The Stones boss said: "One thing I will say is we'll probably play a lot worse than that and win games this season but key moments change games.

"The gameplan was working, we probably had the better chances and then we just switched off.

"I thought Seth was outstanding tonight and he's made one little mistake and the lad's scored, then they had their tails up and got a second.

"I thought for parts of it the gameplan worked, we looked comfortable, especially at that stage in the second half.

"I just said to the boys in there, we've got to keep our heads up, we'll play a lot worse and get points this season.

"It's just tough to take because at that point it looked quite an even game, there wasn't a lot in it and there weren't a lot of clear-cut chances.

"If there were we probably had them but they're a good side and took the three points."

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