Roarie Deacon believes in-form Maidstone have the strongest team in National South.

Winger Deacon scored in a 4-1 win over Welling on Tuesday as the Stones moved level on points with leaders Oxford City.

It’s tight at the top with Ebbsfleet and long-time leaders Dartford only two points behind, while the top eight are separated by just six points.

Maidstone have won five games on the spin, despite missing a number of important players, and look to make it six against local rivals Tonbridge at the Gallagher on Sunday.

Victory would see them complete the double over the Angels, after Michael Phillips’ first-half goal earned a 1-0 win at Longmead on Boxing Day.

“There’s a lot of strong teams in the league but I think we’re probably the strongest, personally,” said Deacon.

“Man for man, I think we’re the strongest team in the league. We’ve got a great XI, a great 16, a great 20, we’ve got a great squad.

“The gaffer’s put together a good squad and the togetherness is going to get us a long way and we hope that’s promotion.”

Maidstone went six league games without a win before their recent revival and confidence is high going into the new year.

Manager Hakan Hayrettin has stressed the importance of hard work and the squad have bought into that.

“We went on a bit of a bad run but the boys bounced back and bounced back well,” said Deacon.

“We’ve flipped it now and are on a good run of wins.

“We’ve got to keep that going into the new year and just have a good run until the end of the season.

“To be fair, the boys are working so hard. The gaffer wanted us, when we were on that losing run, to work a bit harder and as a collective we’ve done that.

“We’ve come together as a team, every individual is working so hard and obviously we’re proud of each other for the games we’ve won and we want to keep it going.

“It’s one of the best changing rooms I’ve been in, to be honest. I’ve been in quite a few good ones and this is right up there.

“The togetherness is unreal. When we lose, we’re together; when we’re win, we’re together.

“We might dig each other out individually when we’ve done something bad but we always want to praise each other when we’re doing something good. As a group, we’re unreal.

“I think it’s a natural thing. We’ve got some big characters and personalities in the changing room that bring the team together as one.

“Individually, there’s no bad eggs, and that helps us a lot. Our team spirit is very good.”

Deacon returned to the starting XI as Maidstone came from a goal down to beat Welling.

He scored the second goal - a lovely strike from outside the box with his left foot - after Dominic Odusanya cancelled out Dipo Akinyemi's opener.

Jack Barham and Gavin Hoyte struck after the break as Maidstone made it four derby wins on the spin.

“To be fair, I feel like I’ve got a decent strike off both feet,” said Deacon. "I’m a bit upset I didn’t score the two before that, the one when the keeper saved with his feet and the volley from Luque’s cross.

“I think the keeper made a great save, it came off his fingertips and on to the crossbar.

“The goal that I scored was more a relief than anything because I haven’t scored in quite a while so it was good to get back on the scoresheet for the team.

“I got a few at the start of the season then they dried up a bit, so I’m happy to score again for the team.

“Hopefully I keep my shirt against Tonbridge but you never know. The gaffer’s got to make a decision.

"I’ve just got to keep working hard. If I play, I’ll give 100 per cent like I do every game."