George Elokobi is enjoying his best run in management as Maidstone prepare for the first of two trips to Torquay.

The sides meet in National League South on Saturday (3pm) and United return to Devon next weekend after drawing the Gulls in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.

Elokobi has led Maidstone to four successive wins in all competitions, with the mood at the Gallagher transformed as they put last season’s struggles behind them.

The manager is keeping his feet on the ground but spirits are high in the squad.

“We take it one game at a time - that’s our job as a management team,” said Elokobi.

“Winning is a good habit to have and being consistent is all we ask of the group.

“There’ll come a time when we are going to lose but it’s the manner of how we lose and our job is to make sure we help the players as much as we can.

“They’re an honest group who go about their daily jobs giving their all and, for us, it’s good to see the effort they put in being rewarded with wins.

“It’s not down to me, it’s down to the group and the management team behind me - and our fans who are right in this with us as well.

“We had a bad time last season and they stuck by us.”

Just a point separates Torquay and Maidstone, who are sixth and seventh respectively after 10 games.

The Gulls, along with Yeovil, were the overwhelming pre-season promotion favourites.

And while they’re still to find their best form, they’ve been grinding out wins under old master Gary Johnson.

It’s a clash of two promotion rivals at Plainmoor but it’s too early to read anything into the outcome.

“We all know everyone said Torquay and Yeovil are the ones that are going to get promoted,” said Elokobi.

“Worthing were the other favourites to go up.

“It’s about making sure we show the opposition the utmost respect in how we prepare for the game.

“Our job is to look at how Torquay do things, especially when they play at home.

“We’re focusing our attention on a good side and, make no mistake, it’s going to be a good game.

“People are going to say it’s the game but we treat it like any other game.

“Every game is a big game this season, it doesn’t matter who we are playing or the size of the club.

“You assume, because of the size of Torquay’s budget, that they’ll be the favourites to go up.

“We just have to look after ourselves as Maidstone United Football Club and go about things as we have done all season.

“We’ve not changed and we’re not going to change our preparations leading to the Torquay game.

“It’s about doing your homework on the opposition and showing them the utmost respect in terms of the small details that we try and feed back to our players.”

Elokobi was desperate to land a home draw in the FA Cup after two away ties while, after Saturday, they’ll have been on the road for seven of their opening 11 league games.

There’s been some long old trips in there, including Bath, Yeovil and Weymouth.

But they will be on their travels again next weekend after Monday’s draw threw up another journey to Torquay, this time for a place in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.

“When you start the season and the lads have been on the road all the time, it does take its toll on the players,” said Elokobi.

“We try and manage the group right and give them the recovery time they need.

“It’s all part and parcel of football. It’s not our fault we’ve been drawn away.

“The good thing is we’ve had a clear week to get our players to full recovery and we can look forward to our next game - on the road.

“It’s another long journey but it’s not a problem. There are no excuses.”