It's not so long ago that Maidstone would have lost Saturday's game at Braintree.

That was manager Jay Saunders' view after Stones battled to a goalless draw at Cressing Road.

It was their first clean sheet in 25 games - a run stretching back to the 2-0 win at North Ferriby last September - and a third game unbeaten.

The draw wasn't enough to take them out of the National League bottom four but they are level on points with Woking, the team above them.

Saunders said: "I just said to the boys in there I think probably two months ago we’d have lost that game.

"Even a month ago possibly we’d have lost that game but today we’ve shown good character.

"You can see why they pick up points here. They’re a big side, the pitch isn’t great, it’s not really a game you can get the ball down and play.

"The boys had to put in a battling performance - the complete opposite to last week - and they’ve done that and picked up a point so I’ll take that.

"We had half-chances, they had half-chances.

"I thought we should have had a penalty second half personally.

"That’s a blatant penalty for handball from Reece Prestedge's shot but there you go - our wait for a penalty goes on."

Stones have five centre-halves on the books following the arrival of Magnus Okuonghae.

He was named on the bench alongside Jake McCarthy, with Kevin Lokko and Jamie Coyle the preferred partnership as Stones kept a rare clean sheet.

It meant Anthony Acheampong missed out on the squad.

Saunders said: "It was hard today leaving out Ach.

"He’s been a good lad this season and done well at times so it was harsh on him but I had a good chat with him and it was a decision we had to make.

"It’s good to have that competition and we haven’t had it in the squad for a little while and now we have.

"I just said to him before the game I’m putting Magnus on the bench and he’s been unfortunate.

"A few weeks back it was Lokko who couldn’t get in the team and he’s come back and had two good performances.

"It shows how quickly football changes and I just said to him to be patient and I’m sure his chance will come again."

Read the match report from Maidstone's 0-0 at Braintree