AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor admits they were beaten by the better side as his promotion-chasers went down 1-0 at Maidstone United.

The result saw the Coasters drop to fifth in the National League table with two games to go, however they still occupy a play-off position and sit four points above eighth-placed Dover Athletic.

Fylde host Solihull Moors on Saturday before traveling to Wrexham on the final day and Challinor wants maximum points.

Challinor said: “At the end of they day they were better than us and we didn’t deserve anything from the game. 

“We were beaten by a team that ran more than us. The two midfielders joined in and the front three were a real threat. 

“They competed better, chased lost causes, won second balls and played at a real tempo. We didn’t do that. 

“We didn’t win enough individual battles and we lacked quality. 

“We got to half-time just one behind which was very fortunate in my opinion. We could have scored a couple because we had some good opportunities on the break and if we had gone in 4-3 down then that would have been a better reflection of the first half. 

“If they had produced that application and determination throughout the season then I think they would be up there challenging rather than down at the wrong end of the table.

“The second half was an improvement on the first but it was too little too late. 

“I could have made seven changes at the break if I’m honest. We had enough experience in that team to deal with situations and games like that. 

“We have players that want to play in the Football League, well they will need to be much better than they were if we are to achieve that. 

“We will go through the game again on Monday and make decisions for Solihull on Saturday. 

“The fact that other results have again gone our way sometimes makes it better, sometimes makes it worse because you start thinking about ‘if and buts’. 

“Before the weekend I thought we would need two more wins and that’s still the aim. We have to try and win both the last two games now. 

“It may take less but we have to make sure because I don’t want to rely on others.”