Terry Harris is confident Maidstone will turn the corner after rejecting any thoughts of pressure.

The Stones' struggles continued on Tuesday night when they were beaten 3-0 at home by in-form Southend.

It's almost two months since they tasted victory, with their winless run in the National League reaching nine matches.

That's seen them drop to second from bottom, although only two points from safety.

Throw in an FA Cup exit at lower-league Needham Market a fortnight ago and it's been a rotten spell for Hakan Hayrettin's National South champions.

But assistant boss Harris, taking press duties after the Southend game, said: "I don't feel under any pressure and I can speak for Hak as well.

"We're at a fantastic football club, we got promoted last year, we knew it was going to be tough this year.

• Report: Maidstone 0-3 Southend

"Pressure? No. I think pressure is when you can't afford to pay the mortgage or you can't put food on that table. That's pressure."

Maidstone's problems in both boxes were evident - conceding bad goals and struggling to score at the other end.

Southend, on the other hand, defended well and - bar a comical miss from opening scorer Callum Powell - took their chances.

Harris said: "We were disappointed with the first goal because we had two really good chances before they even got into our penalty box and that seems to be the way it's going at the moment.

"I thought they were better in both boxes tonight.

"It could have been a completely different story and that's what it is at the moment. We have to stay positive. We will turn it around, but we've just got to stay positive really.

"We've had a few kicks in the teeth of late and we've conceded goals. If we get that first goal it gives you something to build on and be positive.

"I have to say, and fair credit to Southend, when we did get balls in the box, they defended for their lives and that's what I said - both boxes.

"We didn't necessarily defend properly and they did and they stopped a lot of the balls that came into the box, either first phase or second phase.

"They're a good side and they've been on a good run but I still say we're better than what we are at the moment.

"We've been conceding goals and we can't seem to stop conceding goals.

"As much work as we do on the training field we're still conceding goals, so we're back to work on Thursday.

"We have a game on Saturday against Yeovil, a game we need and want to win, badly, to give us a kickstart as well."

Yeovil are also in the bottom four, a point better off than the Stones, going into this weekend's clash at the Gallagher.