Long-serving defender Tom Mills appreciated Maidstone’s trip to Tranmere - even in defeat.

Mills has barely missed a game in United’s rise from Ryman South to the National League and, at only 24, is closing in on 300 appearances.

Walking out at Rovers’ 16,500-capacity Prenton Park was another highlight in a Stones career that’s featured three promotions in four seasons.

Left-back Mills praised former League Cup finalists Tranmere and their supporters after Saturday’s game.

He said: “Growing up, you want to play in these big stadiums.

“You see them on telly and Tranmere have been a big club back in the day, Championship, League 1 and all that, so to come here and play at grounds like this, you don’t get it very often and that’s what it’s all about.

“That big stand behind the goal looks intimidating but they were good fans to be fair, they didn’t get on your back and you could see why they’ve got such a good support.

“They’ve still got a big support from back in the day and they’re doing well.

“As they were pushing on, the crowd got more and more behind them and I think that’s how they got the second goal.”

Stones lost 2-1 to an 81st-minute goal from a corner after Alex Flisher had cancelled out the league leaders’ first-half opener.

Mills said: “We did well to get back in the game after going 1-0 down.

“To be fair to them they got the ball and popped it around and they found a way to get the first goal.

“Second half, we came out, changed our game, got the ball wide, tried to get balls in the box and Flish scored a good goal.

“We’re gutted to lose. I think in this league you get punished from set-pieces.

“You’ve got bigger lads stepping down from league football and if you don’t stay with your man you’re going to get knockdowns and anything can happen.

“There was no pressure on us to go out and come away with three points.

“I thought we put a good shift in today, as we always do, and we were unlucky.”