Maidstone manager Jay Saunders is expecting a scrap for survival.

Stones ended a run of four National League defeats by beating Eastleigh on Tuesday night, moving them five points clear of the relegation zone in 18th place ahead of a trip to Bromley on Saturday.

Saunders feels mid-table isn’t beyond them but, after eight defeats in 10 before Eastleigh, it’s all about staying up.

He said: “We’re in a battle. Every game’s going to be a battle until the end of the season. We’ve got to work hard and give that effort.

“It’s a big learning curve this year – for the club, for the owners, for the players, for myself. I try not to get too down about it. I always knew we’d have times when we had bad results.

“We’ve got to hang in there. I still say that if you can put a run of games together you can finish mid-table comfortably but that’s not easy.”

Saunders is trying to add experience to his squad to pull away from trouble. In the lower levels, Maidstone could show targets the ground and point to big crowds but it’s not so easy in the National League.

He said: “Things seem to take a lot longer. The sort of players we want are at this level or above and money is a big thing. At Ryman and Conference South level it was a lot easier getting people in but I’m enjoying it."

Saunders has thanked chief executive Bill Williams and co-owners Terry Casey and Oliver Ash for their support – and he won’t be asking for more money.

He said: “I have meetings with Terry all the time and he kind of says ‘this is what we’re going with’ at the start of the season and that’s what it is.

“I don’t put loads of pressure on them to give us more. They always try and help."

Read the full interview in Friday's Kent Messenger.