James Rogers was back in Maidstone United's midfield three days after becoming a dad to twin girls.

Rogers - with the support of wife Lisa - made himself available for Stones' National League South game at Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.

The in-form midfielder had another excellent game as Jay Saunders' side won 1-0 with a debut goal from Dumebi Dumaka.

It wasn't easy leaving his girls - born by caeserean on Wednesday - but Rogers felt able to play.

He said: "I didn’t get any sleep Wednesday night, Thursday night was a lot better and Friday was good as well, so I spoke to Jay and told him I wanted to play.

"I felt all right, a little bit tired but nothing too bad.

"My missus wanted me to play, to be fair. Obviously you come out the team and you lose your place.

"It’s nice to have such a supportive wife. She’s had her mum round helping her out - she had a caeserean, so she’s still struggling a little bit - but it’s all good.

"It was difficult leaving them. Everything’s new and it’s a surreal feeling.

"It was a little bit hard but you’ve got to get on with things as well and I felt it was the right decision to come and play.

"The girls are good as gold. They look at you and it's a nice feeling. Fatherhood is everything I thought it would be."

Stones boss Saunders trusted Rogers to make the right decision after giving him the option of staying at home.

Saunders said: "I just said ‘ how do you feel?’ and he said ‘yeah, fine’ and that’s enough.

"I played with him, I’ve known him a long, long time and he’s honest with me.

"I think the players know with the position we’re in, it’s not time for gambling.

"I know people don’t want to lose their place but I’ve made them fully aware if they’re not 100% then they let me know and we’ll swap it about."