Hakan Hayrettin hopes Regan Booty’s late penalty at the weekend will prove a turning point in Maidstone’s season.

Booty scored in the sixth minute of injury time to salvage a 1-1 draw against Yeovil on Saturday.

It was a soft award to say the least but, having seen two earlier appeals rejected by referee Jacob Miles, United were due a bit of luck, and they got it when Roarie Deacon was adjudged to have been fouled.

It could prove the lift they need going into tonight’s home game against National League high-fliers Solihull Moors.

The Midlands club are said to be spending heavily and sit fourth in the table.

“We’ll take anything that comes our way at the moment,” said manager Hayrettin, whose side are second-bottom after 10 league games without a win.

“Who knows? That goal could be a turning point for us.

“We should have had two penalties before the one he gave. Jack Barham’s been pushed in the box in the first half and there’s a foul on Josh Fawole in the second half.

“I’ve watched them back - they’re penalties.

“I think that’s why he’s given the third one.”

While Hayrettin was targeted by a section of home fans calling for his dismissal during the Yeovil game, he was buoyed by the support of others as he made his way back to the dressing room.

“It was nice,” he said. “As I was coming off, they called me over and said, ‘Keep going, Hak, you’re our manager, you’re doing a great job, keep fighting, get your head up’.

“We are having a rough time at the moment.

“Players aren’t functioning, we’ve got loads of injuries and too many people are off-form at the same time.

“We’re trying to get the best out of people.

“We’ve put in some good performances and some indifferent ones, but we’ll get there.”