George Elokobi saluted Maidstone’s game management in their goalless draw at Hornchurch.

The Stones returned from Essex with a point after showing their battling qualities on a poor pitch.

On what was never going to be a day for pretty football, it was a case of staying switched on and playing the percentages.

Maidstone remain seventh in National League South after the draw, eight points behind new leaders Worthing.

“Well done to our group of players for their efforts, their commitment,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“It’s a very, very tough surface to come and play any sort of free-flowing football.

“It was a game of second phases, a game of percentages, and I thought we battled really, really hard.

“We have to look at it as a point gained towards the right direction.

“It’s hard when you train on a 3G pitch and then you know you’re preparing for what I’ll call a very bumpy pitch.

“There’s no control in possession and we had to be organised and make sure we played in areas that we thought could hurt them but when we got in those areas the pitch didn’t allow us to.

“But it’s no excuse, there’s 22 players on the pitch and I thought it was about managing moments in the game and it was good from our group of players in how they managed the game.”

With Maidstone training on 3G at the Gallagher Stadium, there was little they could do in terms of physical preparation for dealing with Hornchurch’s pitch.

Report: Hornchurch 0-0 Maidstone

Instead, Elokobi and assistant boss Craig Fagan had to get in the players’ heads to ensure they were ready.

“It was about preparing the players mentally in terms of where we’re going, the pitch surface, and how Hornchurch play it,” said Elokobi.

“We started doing that from Saturday last week, after the Salisbury victory, and on Tuesday we drummed it into the players’ mindsets to ensure they knew it was going to be a bumpy surface and it’s going to take concentration and making sure we don’t get bored of doing the basics.

“Sometimes the basics are not letting the ball bounce in our final third, making sure we anticipate things better, in both boxes, but more importantly stay on your feet because it only takes someone to dangle a foot out and it ends up being a penalty.”

Elokobi, meanwhile, praised Bivesh Gurung after the midfielder chalked up 100 appearances for his hometown club.

“Congratulations to Bivesh,” said the manager.

“He’s one I’m going to speak highly of because I know he’s not had the credit he deserves sometimes but I know what he brings to the table.

“Since I’ve been here he’s been giving his all and I think he’s one of the most improved players this season if I’m being totally honest, not just on the football side of it but also his discipline, and he’s learning his trade.”