Saunders: We need to get some older heads in

It was men against boys in Maidstone’s 2- 0 defeat by Gateshead.

That was the view of boss Jay Saunders, who vowed to step up his search for new midfielders.

He said: “The first goal we conceded is an absolute embarrassment and the second one is the same mistake, giving the ball away in midfield, they break and score.

“It’s silly mistakes week in, week out but at the other end of that, when we get chances, or they make a mistake, we don’t punish them.

“At the moment it’s a little bit men against boys and we need to get some older heads in and people that know the level.

“Midfield’s always a difficult area and we’re still looking and trying to get the right one.

“There’s only so many chances you can keep giving people.

“They were there to get a result and the goal just before half-time kills you. It changes everything. It changes your team-talk, it changes your thoughts.

“I just think right down the spine of the team we need a few characters, a few more leaders and we’ll keep trying to get the right ones.”

Former Norwich youngster Jamar Loza made his debut after signing on the Thursday night.

The Jamaica international should have had a second-half penalty, referee Craig Hicks telling Saunders he might have got it wrong.

Saunders said: “It was tempting not to throw him straight in but I just felt he offers us something different and I’m sure he’ll get better the longer he’s with us.”