Jay Saunders felt Maidstone proved they are good enough for the National League in their opening-day draw against much-fancied York.

Promoted Stones were the better side for most of Saturday’s live TV game at the Gallagher, leading at the break through Bobby-Joe Taylor and pushing to extend their advantage.

But one lapse allowed the Minstermen back in the game, with Clovis Kamdjo losing Dan Sweeney at a corner and heading the equaliser.

Stones manager Saunders said: “It’s split emotions really. I’m pleased with it but at the same time disappointed. I felt we did enough to win the game - we’ve got to take our chances - and, on the other side of it, it’s a poor goal we’ve conceded.

“It’s frustration more than anything but I’ve just said to the boys in there it shows, against one of the favourites, a full-time team, that we can compete at this level.

“It was a great occasion, with the cameras here, with everyone here.

“It’s just frustrating, I felt we deserved the three points and we’ve not got it but we’re moaning we haven’t got three points against a team that were playing League 2 football last year, so it shows you how far we’ve come and we’ll take the positives and move on.”

York’s equaliser highlighted the importance of set-pieces in National League football.

Like so many teams at this level, Jackie McNamara’s side have the luxury of full-time training to work on them.

Saunders said: “I said to the boys in the week that I think in this league fitness is important the last 15 minutes of each half, although I thought we finished strongly, but set-pieces are a massive thing.

“Obviously they get a lot more time to work on things and you get some big sides.

“Sweens held his hand up, he’s lost his runner, which is disappointing.

“I’ve just seen the video of it and he’s just switched off for two seconds and the lad’s got across.

“It’s a good header but it shouldn’t get to there.

“Set-pieces are going to be crucial this year and unfortunately it’s shown today.”

There was a touching tribute to Charlie Girling when the Gallagher Stadium broke into a minute’s applause in memory of the young scout and Stones fan who died suddenly last month.

York fans joined in, along with the two benches.

Saunders said: “I’d heard about him, we had a couple of kids on the soccer school that knew him well and we made sure we were clapping at the 12th minute.

“I think that was a lovely accolade for the lad, he deserves that.

“It’s a terrible incident and just shows you football can bring a lot of people together.”

Read the match report from Maidstone's draw with York