George Elokobi called on Maidstone to learn from new National League South leaders Aveley.

The Essex side went top of the table after inflicting a 1-0 defeat on United at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday night.

They were in Isthmian North just two years ago but successive promotions have seen them rise to Step 2 and they’ve taken to it well in the early weeks of the season.

Elokobi was impressed with the Millers, who took the points with Charlee Hughes’ second-half goal from a poorly-defended cross and restricted United at the other end.

Aveley left with a clean sheet - something Elokobi’s men are yet to achieve eight games into the season.

“We need to take a leaf out of their book,” said the Stones boss. “They throw their bodies on the line.

“When you go a goal up, you’ve got to protect that lead.

Report: Maidstone 0-1 Aveley

“We’ve seen it with us when we’ve had leads and we’ve let it slip but they didn’t do that, so credit to them.

“I’m a manager who gives credit when it’s due.

“We have to learn and we have to make sure that when it comes in our box, we deal with it, we don’t let the ball bounce in our six-yard box because it leads to goals.

“Our players need to be taking charge of the situation. Stop the cross in the first place. It’s basics.

“If you’re closest to the ball, do not let your man put in a cross and that’s as basic as it gets. So, there’s plenty of work to be done at the training ground.”

Maidstone scored three in their comeback win at Weymouth on Saturday but didn’t look to have a goal in them at the Gallagher as a five-match unbeaten run ended.

A first home defeat of the season saw them slip to 10th, two points outside the top seven.

“We didn’t threaten their goal enough and it’s a lesson to us,” said Elokobi.

“As much play as we had, we have to make sure we try and have shots on target and follow in as well. We learn from it and move on.

“That’s the disappointing thing with the amount of forward players we had on the pitch, you’d think we’d create chances and test the keeper out but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s all down to how hard they worked to keep us out of the six-yard box and out of the 18-yard box to make sure they were throwing their bodies on the line.”