Hakan Hayrettin questioned Maidstone’s desire after they were outplayed by local rivals Tonbridge.

United were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw against an Angels side battling for National South survival.

The Stones led twice but the visitors were undeniably the better side at the Gallagher on New Year's Day, particularly dominant after the break.

Maidstone head coach Hayrettin said: “You need people that are going to work hard and do the right things in the right areas.

“The owners have been fantastic in supporting us but when we bring players in, they’ve got to show that desire, that spirit, that fight.

“We can’t do it for them. You cross that white line, this is your job, this is the job you’ve got to do.

“We need them to do that job and there wasn’t enough of that today.

“I’m frustrated because I expect more but sometimes players think they’re better than what they are.

“Tonbridge are fighting for their lives and they were better than us in the second half if we’re going to be totally honest.

“They had more shots, more crosses but we had the best chances.

“We had a great chance to go 3-1 up and that would have been game done but we didn’t take it.”

Maidstone could only name four substitutes with goalkeeper Jake Cole joining an injury list including key players Saidou Khan, Matt McClure and Justin Amaluzor, along with long-term absentee Sam Corne.

The bench included under-23 player Jordan Tingley, academy prospect Jacob Gilbert and transfer-listed centre-half Lewis Knight.

Hayrettin said they couldn’t get a fifth substitute.

He said: “Who are you going to call? We didn’t know it was going to be that desperate.

“It’s shocking, we’ve got nine injuries. I don’t know what’s causing it but something’s not right with them.

“We’ve not overly cautious or overly protective at training but we’re not overly working them either. We’re doing what’s right.

“I’m not complaining, it is what it is. We’ve got to pick ourselves up.”

Maidstone’s injury problems could now mean a recall for striker Ibrahim Olutade, who’s scored 14 goals on loan at Leatherhead.

• Maidstone 2-2 Tonbridge

Hayrettin said: “That’s open to discussion. We’ll make a decision on that.”

Maidstone have dropped a couple of places to 10th in the table, albeit still only two points adrift of the play-offs.

They’re off to Hampshire on Saturday to play a Havant side who sit third after only two defeats all season.

Dan Wishart’s injury-time goal rescued a point in the home game and, given Maidstone’s injury list, another draw wouldn’t be a bad result.

Hayrettin said: “We’ve got to go there and do the best we can.”

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