Maidstone United manager George Fagan said his league-leading side were out-fought by a motivated Braintree team who halted their five-match winning streak with a 2-1 victory. Alfie Matthews scored twice for the hosts, including a penalty, before Tom Leahy's late spot-kick for Maidstone.
Fagan said his players needed to match the extra yard and try harder against a Braintree side fighting for survival. He admitted his team were sloppy at times, not tidy enough or clinical enough, and could have come out with a draw. The goals came in the second half, with Braintree going 2-0 up before Maidstone converted an injury-time penalty.
We were disappointed with the first-half performance, Fagan said. He added that Maidstone had chances that could have changed the game and were better after the break, but ultimately needed to start games quicker. The manager stressed his side are never going to go the rest of the season unbeaten and must change their mentality to start another winning run.
The result leaves Braintree 18th in the National League - South on 10 points from eight games. That run includes this victory over the leaders and a 3-2 defeat to Billericay Town last time out.
For Maidstone, the defeat is a setback but they remain top of the table. Fagan's focus is now on ensuring his team do the right things to respond. Braintree's next match is away to 14th-placed Chelmsford City on 26 December, a key fixture in their own battle to climb the standings.
Background and full detail: kentonline.co.uk
