Manager Craig Fagan says it’s back to work for Maidstone after losing top spot in National League South.

United led the way for more than seven weeks before dropping to third following a 3-1 derby defeat by Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night.

They’re two points behind new leaders Fleet and one behind Truro, who went second with their midweek win over Slough.

Few expected Maidstone to be top at all this season, given the free-spending ways of rival clubs, but they’ve competed admirably.

“Who would have thought it?” said Fagan, whose side host Slough at the Gallagher Stadium this Saturday (3pm).

“I keep saying this to people.

“Nobody would have backed us to be where we are now. So we need to get back to work. That's it. We are where we are.

“We've done well to be there. It's not the end of the world.

“There’s no need to be disappointed. Of course, we would have loved to win and still be on top.

“But all that matters is where we are at the end of the season. The aim was to be in the play-offs and we’re on track, so let's keep our heads up and keep working and get back to the training field.”

Slough are bottom of the table with only one win and four points from 14 games.

But they’re under new management with former Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm taking charge of the Rebels.

McKimm is making big changes and Fagan expects them to be a different proposition to what United may otherwise have faced.

The recovery signs are there, with Slough taking the lead against both Dorking and Truro in his first two games before suffering 3-1 losses against sides tipped for promotion.

“They’ve got a new manager and new owners,” said Fagan.

“You get a new manager bounce and a new money bounce, as we’ve seen. They’ve signed loads of players.

“It’s a test, so we need to be up for that.

“They'll be enthusiastic. They'll be thinking they want to get out of the bottom four. They'll be wanting to come to us and show that they're good players. This is the test. We always say it.

“Coming to Maidstone, playing a team that's at the top end of the table, these teams at the bottom try that little bit harder and run that a little bit quicker. We need to match that.”

McKimm prides himself on hardworking teams who give everything for the cause.

He’ll be looking to instil that with a new-look side at Slough.

Fagan said: “We work hard in terms of understanding the players that go in, so we know near enough the ones they’ve signed.

“I know the manager they’ve got and the way he plays, so I know he’ll be trying to do similar in terms of the Slough team.

“It’s going to be an interesting game and one we need to win at home. I’ve said that in the changing room. That’s it - we need three points. Just win the game.”