Dean speaks after point at Maidstone

First team manager Jimmy Dean provided his reaction to Iron Player after Jacob Butterfield's early second-half goal secured a share of the spoils against Maidstone United on Tuesday night.

He said: "I felt we were the better team. That's how the stats read and what I felt from the game. Obviously it's nervy because of what's at stake. We had ten shots on target to their three, and their goal was a deflection. It's just lady luck, that's how it goes, but as away performances go I thought it was a good one.

"We wanted a positive reaction (to conceding) after Saturday and I thought we got it. It's obviously a game we needed to win, but it was must not lose as well, and it puts us in a better position going into these two home games.

"I thought we played some decent stuff and created good chances. With a little bit of luck we could have had a couple more goals really. I thought it was the complete opposite to Saturday (against Boreham Wood). We got forward and got the delivery from good areas, more from the byline and deep, causing problems.

"On the whole, the reaction was good after half-time. I thought we deserved to win."

Talking of the three changes to the team, he said: "I was disappointed with the whole performance of the team but I don't think (Andrew) Boyce did a lot wrong (at the weekend). It was just a way of freshing it up (bringing Will Smith, Dion Sembie-Ferris and Danny Elliott in). We wanted to keep more of the ball on the 3G pitch and I thought we'd have an opportunity to play from deeper.

"I thought for large parts, we kept the ball really well and got our full-backs in good areas, but we just couldn't capitalise.

"I said to the players before the game, we'e not just playing for ourselves but for the people out there. We need to give a performance that represents that, with 100 per cent commitment. I thought we got that. It's disappointing we didn't get the three points but you can only control the controllables. We created good opportunities, the ball didn't fall for us, and their goal came from a defection."

Ahead of two home games now against Eastleigh and Altrincham on Saturday and next Tuesday, Dean added: "I've got to give a call out to the fans now. They made a big difference against Dagenham (when the Iron won 3-2 ten days ago) and can do it again on Saturday and Tuesday. We get positive results and it changes everything doesn't it? Giving us hope going into that final home straight."

See more from Jimmy Dean on Iron Player.