Ebbsfleet United have defended their decision to limit Maidstone to 800 tickets for Saturday’s huge Kent derby at Stonebridge Road.

Stones were given 754 tickets at the Swanscombe End and 46 in the main stand after it was decided to segregate the Vanarama National League South clash.

Away supporters have been warned not to travel without a ticket and there will be a dedicated ‘snatch squad’ of stewards inside the ground to eject any United fans found in home areas.

It’s a move which has angered sections of the Stones fanbase but Fleet vice-chairman Peter Varney stands by his decision.

He said: "Having talked to the police and the safety officer, the intelligence was such that there was no other decision than to segregate.

"I have a responsibility to protect all supporters and that minimises the risk of any incidents. Once you’ve taken the decision to segregate, the obvious area (for away fans) is the Swanscombe End but can you then move fans into other areas?

"To do that, even if Maidstone sell them out, you’re asking me to move home fans from areas where they’re comfortable.

"Why should people that come and support us in the Liam Daish Stand, week in, week out, be moved? That’s totally wrong.

"We’ve only got a limited amount we can do in the main stand to make it an effective segregation because that’s affected by the number of toilets and where they’re located."

The reverse fixture in August was also segregated, with Fleet winning 2-0 at a sold-out Gallagher Stadium.

Mr Varney said: "We made no complaints about what happened at Maidstone. We got 250 tickets and I know the actual people at Maidstone have got no complaints at all.

"Some of their fans have but speaking to chief executive Bill Williams and his team at Maidstone, they think we’ve been more than fair and they understand the reasons.

"The one thing I would stress is that I have to protect fans in both areas and it’s been made perfectly clear that there are to be only home fans in the Liam Daish Stand and the Plough End.

"Regrettably, if Maidstone fans decide to come into those areas, we will have sufficient staff on duty, including police, and they will be ejected."