Goalscorer Dan Sweeney only started Maidstone's win over Eastleigh because Jamar Loza was stuck in traffic.

Initially dropped after the 2-0 defeat at Lincoln on Saturday, Sweeney found himself back in the starting XI when it became clear Loza may not arrive on time.

He gave Maidstone the lead and had an excellent game in the 2-1 victory on Tuesday night.

Manager Jay Saunders said: "Everything was a bit rushed because when I actually named the team, there were still three of the lads not here that were playing and then we had to change Sweens for Loza - it's the way it works sometimes.

"We had to make a decision. We could have waited for Jamar but I just felt that getting here late and then having a short warm-up in this weather wasn't ideal, and he had a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Norwich so I just said to Nicky Southall, 'go and tell Sweens he's back in' and he was fine.

"I got a good response out of him. A lot of lads might have sulked at being left out but he didn't and he got a good goal."

Sweeney has had his critics but answered them last night.

Saunders added: "He seems to be one of them that people want to give stick to.

"I don't know if they think he's a big lad and he should be doing better but they've got to remember, he's 21, he's never played this level before - he's only ever played Ryman and probably 10 games for me at Conference South.

"I think his performances have been getting better - he will have bad games, he'll have good games - and that's part of being young.

"The only way you'll improve is by playing and hopefully tonight will give him a little lift."

Stones remain 18th in the National League but moved five points clear of the relegation zone after ending a run of four defeats.

They worked their socks off to beat big-spending Eastleigh.

Saunders said: "You can play bad but you can run - and that's the truth.

"That's what I said to the lads. I don't mind if we have bad games or individuals have bad performances - that happens - but you've got to have the workrate and tonight we've got it."

Read the match report from Maidstone's 2-1 win over Eastleigh