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Jay Saunders hailed Maidstone's workrate in their National League South win at Bath.
United put in a terrific shift to keep City at bay and left Twerton Park with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Dan Sweeney and Jay May.
Boss Saunders felt his young side showed another side to their game.
He said: "First and foremost, you need to come here and work hard - and we did that.
"I don't think we can really bully teams like we did last year because we've not got the players and we're not the size we were.
"This year we've got a lot more footballers - no disrespect, because we won the league - and lads who probably struggle to do that other side of the game so it was pleasing we got that sort of performance.
"When you see the likes of Charles Banya in the first half winning headers at the far post defending, it's good to see."
Stones have won three games in a row since ending a four-match losing run - the Bath result the most impressive for Saunders' second-placed side.
He added: "I knew it would be a really hard place to come.
"It's a big pitch with a slope and their home record's normally good, they were one of the early-season favourites and one of the best teams that have come to the Gallagher this season.
"We knew it would be tough but I thought it was a very good away performance.
"There were spells in the second half where they put us under pressure but when you're away from home, you know that.
"With the conditions it became a battle and I thought we were very good and well worth the three points."
Key to Maidstone's defensive effort was player-coach Jamie Coyle.
Saunders said: "We're a young back four and I thought the way he talked them through the game and led the backline was outstanding."