Joe Iaciofano's goal seven minutes before half-time wasn't enough to earn the Hoops a point against Hakan Hayrettin's Maidstone despite an encouraging display from the Hoops.

A fiery game was fuelled with controversy as both teams were reduced to ten-men. United's Regan Booty was sent-off for a lunge on Zico Asare and Harvey Bradbury was shown red in the last minute for his retaliation to being pushed into the advertisement boards at the Gallagher Stadium.

Ballard on the performance and result:

"It was a very tough game and we knew it would be a difficult game.

"We did the prep in the week and tried to stop them from doing what they do but they're a good side and they're above us for a reason. They're a full-time team and they work on what they do.

"We knew it was going to be a tough ask today and we just fell short.

"Performances on the pitch are steadily improving, the boys are working really hard during the week in the two sessions we have to get it right on a Saturday.

"I think today was tough, we matched them for large periods of the game and conceded two poor goals in my opinion and we just couldn't quite get over the line and get an equaliser.

Ballard on contentious moments:

"We saw them and we're not going to comment on the decisions.

"The referee's have a hard enough job already and we're not going to pile pressure on them. We didn't perform as well as we could've done on the pitch and we couldn't get our equaliser at the end.

Ballard on the mood in the dressing room and moving forward:

"The boys are disappointed, we thought we could have won the game but the result didn't go our way.

"We've just said out there, today's gone now and we'll prepare on Tuesday and Thursday so we're ready for Saturday (Chelmsford away)."