Maidstone United manager George Elokobi says his side’s defending was “absolutely shambolic” in 2-1 National League South defeat against Slough Town

George Elokobi described Maidstone’s defending as “absolutely shambolic” following their home defeat by Slough.

The Stones lost 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday after blowing a half-time lead.

They conceded two poor goals midway through the second half - Basil Tuma and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas the scorers - and Elokobi couldn’t have been more disappointed.

He’d spoken to his players about the need to manage the game well against an in-form side and show the composure in front of goal to build a lead.

But they could only get themselves one goal in front - John Gilbert scoring against his old club again - and paid the price after unravelling at the back.

They remain eighth in National League South but are now five points outside the play-off places.

“As we know in this league, one goal is never enough,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“I know we’ve got a very good record of keeping clean sheets but you can’t keep clean sheets every single game, so it was important the players manage those moments, and I thought our defending was absolutely shambolic.

“The two we conceded were extremely poor, naive, which really disappoints myself, and the players are disappointed in the manner of how we conceded the goals to lose that game.”

Maidstone still had 20 minutes of normal time, plus considerable stoppage time - six minutes turned into almost 10 - to get back into the game.

But Elokobi didn’t see the response he was looking for.

“You’re looking for a reaction from the players and you felt like we’ve lost the game when there’s still about 25/30 minutes to play,” he said.

“The energy can’t keep coming from the sideline as a manager and the management team, it’s got to come from within, and I warned them at half-time.

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