Leiston boss Steve Ball has already enjoyed plenty of title success at Leiston.

Ball was first-team coach during the successful back-to-back promotion run that got Leiston into the Ryman Premier League a couple of seasons ago.

To return therefore to Victory Road after leaving to concentrate on his Colchester United academy work for a while, could have been perceived as a risk. Would the grass still be green on his return?

“I must admit if you have told me when I came back to manage the club we would be in a chance of the play-offs come March, I don’t know if I’d have believed you,” Ball said.

“Coming back after so much success with Mark Morsley, I did wonder if we could ever reach those heights. Well we are already.

“I don’t think the score today flattered us. We play Carshalton on Tuesday night at home and if we win that, who knows what could happen.

“There is a real team spirit here. You can’t coach that.”

And Ball was delighted to get Conor Hubble and Jack Simmons back on loan from Colchester United for another month.

“Both those boys are quality players and I didn’t know what the situation with Colchester was after they lost an Essex Senior Cup match on Thursday night.

“But Richard Hall and Tony Humes were happy for the boys to come back on loan. I thank them for that. They know we do things properly here at Leiston.”

Meanwhile defender Joe Jefford, who signed a new two-year extension to his contract after the game, admitted Maidstone proved a tough test.

“It was a battle, Jefford said.

“They play on a 4G pitch at home, but they haven’t been so effective away on grass.

“We are on a great run, there is massive confidence at the club and I’ve extended my contract because I enjoy it here and like Bally’s style of management.”

Meanwhile Leiston striker Emmanuel Osei is enjoying life back at the Victory Road club after a spell with Lowestoft.

“I feel at home here,” he admitted.

“Although I haven’t scored on my return yet, I’m pleased to be back. Today it was all about the team winning, that was the important thing.”