Maidstone boss Jay Saunders still rates Margate favourites to win the Ryman League Premier Division.

Back-to-back victories since going out of the FA Cup have left United only three points behind leaders Gate with four games in hand.

Stones, who host fourth-placed Hendon on Saturday (3pm), also have a better goal difference.

Saunders is looking to strengthen his squad and knows Maidstone are well placed but he insisted that it’s Margate’s title to lose.

He said: “Margate are still favourites in my eyes. They’ve spent a lot of money to get the squad they have and they can add to it at any time.

“But we’re in a good position. Everyone said the FA Cup run would kill the league for us but we’ve not lost ground.

“If Margate had won all their games and gone 15 or 18 points clear it would have been nigh-on impossible for us to win it because of the pressure that then puts on you to win your games in hand."

Stones are facing nine league games next month. It’s a spell that could make or break their title bid and the reason Saunders wants to boost his squad.

He said: “I’m trying very hard to get players in. It’s difficult at this time of year because nobody wants to let anybody out, either on loan or permanently, because of all the games coming up."