Head coach Hakan Hayrettin has called for more of the same on the terraces this weekend.

Maidstone fans were in great voice against Gillingham in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night and have another derby to look forward to with Ebbsfleet in town on Saturday.

They've set the standard and Hayrettin wants the backing to continue.

He said: "The supporters were great. I was looking up thinking, ‘Am I in a foreign country? Where am I? Is this a Kent derby?’

"It’s not like an Essex derby. I played in the Essex final at Dagenham when it was Grays v Hornchurch and that’s a local rivalry but it was nothing like this.

"This was like a Championship game and the support must continue regardless. That’s all I can say.

"We've got another derby on Saturday and they've got to come back in their droves, make more noise and get behind the team.

"If we concede or go in front, keep that noise going and we will grind it out."

Striker Jake Cassidy could return from injury as Maidstone look to beat Ebbsfleet for the first time since the 2016 National South play-off final.

United are 14 points from safety with eight games remaining while Fleet harbour outside hopes of a play-off place.

Maidstone are all-but down but the rest of the season remains important for Hayrettin.

He said: "We’re just looking for improvement and for people to understand what’s required and how we want to do things.

"It's small steps but we're getting there.

"The rest of the season isn’t a waste of time, not for us. There’s plenty to play for."

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