Hakan Hayrettin declared himself Mystic Meg after Maidstone settled a score against Hungerford.

There was some needle between the sides after United’s 3-2 defeat at Bulpit Lane last October and boss Hayrettin made sure he reminded his players before the return.

A defiant, ‘They’ve still got to come to us’ was back in Hayrettin’s mind after Maidstone fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at the Gallagher on Saturday.

“What did I say to you after that game?” said Hayrettin.

“I said they’ve still got to come to us, and we got the result today.

"Everything I’ve said so far is happening. They should call me Meg.

“I used what happened at their place before the game, I’m not going to lie. These guys are masters of the dark arts.

“They know every trick in the book, they know to get round the referee, they’ve got a very experienced captain, a knowledgeable manager - everything about them is good.

“They set up to play a certain way and they get results and they’re a good outfit. Don’t write them off for the play-offs.

“Firing up the players like that was just a ploy to say, 'Come on, we owe them' because they beat us 3-2.

"We got our rewards today and thoroughly deserved to win.”

Joan Luque’s penalty in first-half injury time gave Maidstone a route back, with goals from Dominic Odusanya and Jack Barham in the last 10 minutes returning the gap to leaders Dorking to three points.

Maidstone play their game in hand against Braintree on Tuesday night, with a chance to move level on points.

• Report: Maidstone 3-2 Hungerford

“I was angry with the two goals we conceded but after that our play was fantastic,” said Hayrettin. “We turned the screw. We moved the ball so well.

“Our first goal came at a good time, just before half-time, and then I got into them.

"I let them have it, I told them what I thought we needed to do. When was the last time we came back from 2-0 down and won 3-2?

"It must have been the team-talk, letting them know what was required.”

Maidstone were missing two of their first-choice midfielders, with Michael Phillips injured and Regan Booty completing a two-match ban.

But their replacements did the business, with on-loan Charlton youngster Johl Powell enjoying an impressive debut, while Odusanya scored the all-important equaliser.

“We had to play Johl today, that’s why we signed him,” said Hayrettin.

“He stepped up and did an unbelievable job.

"If you look at our midfield it wasn’t out strongest midfield and you’re probably thinking are we going to get through this?

"But they did and one of them scored and one made his debut and they all played fantastically well to get three points for football club.”