Maidstone United manager George Elokobi’s praise for Sam Corne after skipper scores winner in Boxing Day victory against Dover Athletic

George Elokobi saw skipper Sam Corne rise to the occasion as Maidstone moved into the National League South play-off places.

Corne headed home Deon Moore’s second-half cross for the only goal of the game as Maidstone beat Dover at the Gallagher Stadium on Boxing Day.

United’s 1-0 victory moved them up to seventh - the final play-off spot - ahead of Hemel Hempstead on goal difference.

It was Corne’s first league start since early November, having recovered from an ankle injury, and the captain showed his importance to the side.

He worked well with Riley Court in central midfield, taking it in turns to go forward, and when he got in the box to meet Moore’s 64th-minute cross, there was only one outcome.

“We wanted to be more positive, we wanted to commit bodies into the final third because we’ve worked on quality crosses going in the box,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“We saw it in the second half, a couple of flashes, half-chances, it was just begging for someone to make that late third-man run, on the blindside, and it’s about that composure.

“But if you want one player to be landing on that, you want the skipper, Sam Corne, to be that man.

“He didn’t panic, he’s been in those moments so many times.

Report: Maidstone 1-0 Dover

“He’s playing like a real veteran at the moment and it’s good to see him play the minutes he’s got.

“It’s about managing the players as well, so I’m excited for Sam that he’s got this game under his belt but also that gave us a chance to rest the likes of TJ Bramble and Jephte Tanga, who have been playing so many games.

“With the intensity we play at, at Maidstone United Football Club, and the quality we demand from players, we have to make sure we freshen things up.

“We have to make sure we rotate