Maidstone supporters have been urged to turn up the volume for this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash at the Gallagher Stadium.

Ryman League, Premier Division leaders AFC Hornchurch are the visitors and a Stones win would see them move above the Urchins.

And with another bumper Gallagher crowd expected, manager Jay Saunders wants the home faithful to create an intimidating atmosphere.

He said: “When the crowd get behind us, like they did in the second half on Saturday (against Eastleigh), it really helps us. The crowd’s been a little bit quiet lately, I don’t know why.

“Maybe it’s because they turn up and expect us to roll teams over every week. But if we can get them behind us from the first minute, it does become daunting for the opposition.”

Maidstone were knocked out of the FA Trophy and the Kent Senior Cup this week, so three points on Saturday and a return to top spot would be the ideal tonic.

Saunders said: “The league was always our priority. We’d love to have had a good run in the FA Cup or FA Trophy but the draws haven’t been too kind to us.

“We’re straight back into it with a massive game against Hornchurch. They played on Tuesday night and they’ve gone two points above us but we’ve got three games in hand.

“You want to be involved in these big games. It’s harder to get motivated when you’re playing the smaller sides because people expect you to win. But when you play the likes of Hornchurch and Eastleigh, everyone has to be on top of their game."