Maidstone United manager Craig Fagan on the National League South leaders’ 2-1 victory at Horsham

An unwanted break proved a blessing in disguise for manager Craig Fagan as Maidstone got back on track at Horsham.

The Stones, returning to action after a blank weekend following their early FA Cup exit, won 2-1 thanks to Nana Boateng’s first-half penalty and an 87th-minute Tom Leahy goal.

It was the ideal response to successive league defeats and an FA Cup replay defeat, as United made the most of their time on the training ground to be ready for Horsham.

Starting the day top of National League South on goal difference, Leahy’s late winner sent them a point clear after 11 games.

A break was the last thing Fagan wanted but Maidstone ensured it didn’t go to waste.

“I would have loved to have had a game last weekend,” said Fagan. “Being in the FA Cup, that would have been important for us, for the football club.

“But it gave us a chance to have six sessions with the players.

“The first week was tough. We made it a tough week because we didn't have a game.

“We had to work on some stuff, ready to go this week.

“Because we won the game, yes, the break helped.

“We just went and did things that we'd been doing at the start of the season. It was a chance to recap and get us going again.”

Report: Horsham 1-2 Maidstone

It’s rare to get six training sessions between games amid the hectic National League South schedule.

Maidstone made the most of the opportunity under their hybrid training model, with Fagan stressing they are not a full-time football club.

“Everybody says we're full-time - we’re not a full-time team,” said Fagan. “I'm sick of hearing it. All the other managers keep saying Maidstone are full-time.

“We train Tuesday, Thursday and the Friday session is just rondos and set-pieces. So, we aren’t full-time.

“I don’t