Jay Saunders will step up his search for midfielders after claiming it was men against boys in Maidstone's defeat by Gateshead.

The Heed dominated midfield while taking advantage of mistakes in either half to run out 2-0 winners, with United dropping to 18th in the National League.

Last season’s star man, Joe Healy, is due back next week but Saunders still wants to strengthen after a fourth defeat on the spin.

He said: “The first goal we conceded is an absolute embarrassment and the second one is the same mistake, giving the ball away in midfield, they break and score.

“It’s silly mistakes week in, week out but at the other end of that, when we get chances, or they make a mistake, we don’t punish them.

“At the moment it’s a little bit men against boys and we need to get some older heads in and people that know the level.

“Midfield’s always a difficult area and we’re still looking and trying to get the right one.

“We should have Joe Healy back in training this week so he’ll be a big plus but I still think we need another one.

“There’s only so many chances you can keep giving people.

“They were there to get a result against and the goal just before half-time kills you. It changes everything. It changes your team-talk, it changes your thoughts.

“I just think right down the spine of the team we need a few characters, a few more leaders and we’ll keep trying to get the right ones.”

Former Norwich youngster Jamar Loza made his debut after signing on Thursday night.

The Jamaica international should have had a second-half penalty, referee Craig Hicks telling Saunders he might have got it wrong.

Saunders said: “He’s not had much competitive football for a while. He’ll get better.

"I thought he had some good touches, caused a few problems here and there but I don’t think we really got him enough of the ball in key areas.

“It was tempting not to throw him straight in today but I just felt he offers us something different and I’m sure he’ll get better the longer he’s with us.”