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Manager George Elokobi thinks the two Maidstone players he recalled to his starting line-up in midweek are still getting better.
Ruben Shakpoke and Arjanit Krasniqi were given the nod for their 1-1 National League South draw at home against title-chasing Dorking, the pair contributing well inside 90 seconds as the former fired over a great opportunity.
Industrious midfielder Krasniqi is firmly back in the Maidstone fold after returning from a loan spell at Isthmian Premier leaders Billericay last month while former Aston Villa striker Shakpoke has joined in recent weeks after a trial at MLS club Portland Timbers.
On 25-year-old Krasniqi, Elokobi noted: “He’s someone I like a lot.
“With the number of players we brought in back in October or November, we had a conversation where I was honest with him that it was best for him to go out and play, and be active.
“It’s important he came back being ready because he’s always had a chance here with myself and the management team. He went out there and was playing games, got himself fitter, and that’s how he has got himself back in the team.
“Every time he has played, he’s not done a lot wrong.
Elokobi on Stones’ midweek comeback draw
"He’s someone that can break lines with his movement but, also, he has got that range of pass.
“He’s still just finding that rhythm, but he’s improving and contributing really well.
“Ruben Shakpoke hadn’t started a game for a while so we had been building up his minutes.
“He gives us a different dynamic up top and he did himself no harm on Tuesday.
“He did some very good bits. He’s a young man that’s still learning.
"It could have been a dream start for him after 90 seconds on Tuesday, but at least we got into those areas.”
Seventh-placed United fought back against Marc White’s side to earn a second successive draw, having been held at Hornchurch last weekend.
Millwall loanee Tom Leahy arrived at the far post in time to connect with a left-wing cross from Charlie Seaman late on, the former Doncaster player having switched flanks for the final stages.
Elokobi explained: “After about 65 or 70 minutes, we needed to change the tactics to make sure we caught Dorking out.
“Could they adapt and adjust to the shape that we used in the last 20 minutes? We saw bundles of positivity, creativity and we were comfortable moving the ball and switching play, and that’s how we caught them out.
“I thought it was a terrific cross from Charlie Seaman and a well-deserved goal by Tom Leahy.”
Next up for Maidstone is the visit of mid-table Chippenham to the Gallagher Stadium this weekend.
While the sides played out a goalless draw in late August in Wiltshire, Gary Horgan’s outfit are on a four-game winless streak, shipping 11 goals.
But Elokobi said: “It will be a tough test.
“They’re quite a good side and play a certain way, so we have to make sure we now recover after playing against tough opposition in Dorking.
“We have to make sure every-one is recovered and then we’ll get back to basics. We’ll make sure we feed the players back with what Chippenham are going to bring.
“But more importantly, we then need to look at how we approached Tuesday’s game, look at all the positives and encourage all the players to do a little bit more.”
Stones defender Raphe Brown will serve the final match of his three-game ban against Chippenham.
