By Alex Hoad

Jay Saunders is set to have talks with Maidstone about his future as player/manager after helping the club gain the chance of avoiding relegation.

Maidstone's Ryman League Premier Division season reaches its finale with a must-win game at Hornchurch on Saturday.

Saunders replaced Andy Ford at the helm after strugging Stones fell to an abject 1-0 home defeat to Croydon Athletic on March 15.

Saunders (pictured) oversaw the 2-0 home loss to Billericay four days later before an inspired comeback saw them snatch a 3-3 draw at Lowestoft the following week.

Back-to-back wins over Aveley and Tooting sparked talk of a run at survival, and despite the 1-0 home loss to Canvey, Stones have overcome Concord, Bury Town and Folkestone.

Saunders was in the dugout for their first home league victory of the season, at the 20th attempt, when they took on Concord. The Stones finished their two-year stay at Homelands with back-to-back wins. They will return to Bourne Park, Sittingbourne, next season.

Saunders is set for talks with club directors Bill Williams and Terry Casey on Wednesday. He said: "I’ll see what they have to say. I have enjoyed it very much, but I know it’s not always going to be like this.

"I was a Maidstone supporter as a kid and it has been an honour and a privilege to be offered the role at all."