‘I always say our players are human beings’

George Elokobi understands if Maidstone players had one eye on the play-offs in their draw at Farnborough. That would be one explanation for a slow start in the final match of the regular National League South season on Saturday. The Stones trailed a fired-up Boro side after three minutes and threatened to be overrun before getting to grips with the game.

Tom Leahy levelled around the half-hour mark and while Matty Macarthur restored the lead, Aaron Blair secured a point. Maidstone went into the game all but assured of a play-off spot, given their big goal difference advantage over rivals Weston. Seventh place was mathematically confirmed after the 2-2 draw, with Elokobi’s men ending four points clear of Weston who finished with a 3-0 defeat at Eastbourne Borough.



Maidstone visit fourth-placed Worthing in a play-off eliminator on Wednesday night - a repeat of last season’s semi-final, which the Rebels won 2-1. Reflecting on whether United had one eye on the play-offs going into the Farnborough game, Elokobi said: “I always say our players are human beings. “At the end of the day, as much as myself and the management team want them to push, it’s always in the back of their heads that they don’t want to miss out on Wednesday night.

“So, I’m not saying that’s what they’ve done, we have to look at it. “We’ve finished the game with a clean bill of health in terms of the squad but it’s important we look at the manner of how we went about our game today and the strategy we used.” Elokobi praised his side for their response after the early struggles at Cherrywood Road and felt they deserved a point.

Report: Farnborough 2-2 Maidstone He said: “I have to look at giving our boys some credit in terms of the character shown, going a goal down so early on from a restart and then it took us about 24/25 minutes to start being in the right positions to press and stay committed. “I thought Farnborough did well. In the first half they dominated and in the second half they had spells where they got in dangerous areas and got a goal.

“Our group of players showed tremendous character in coming back and it became an open affair. “We didn’t really have a good balance from front to back, so that’s something we have to look at, and we have to look at the positives. “We’ve finished the season and we’ve come away from home and we’ve not gotten beat, so that was a good point.

” Truro City clinched the National League South title with a 5-2 home win over relegated St Albans. They pipped Torquay, 4-1 winners at Hemel Hempstead, on goal difference on a dramatic final day that started with the top six all in championship contention. “Congratulations to Truro City for getting promoted,” said Elokobi.

“In my opinion, they were the best team in the league this season.” Maidstone will visit third-placed Eastbourne in the play-off semi-finals next Sunday, should they beat Worthing. Boreham Wood host Dorking in the first play-off eliminator on Tuesday night, with the winners away to runners-up Torquay on Saturday.

The final takes place on Sunday, May 18..