Goalkeeper Lenny Holden will never forget the moment he made his league debut for Maidstone as an outfield player.

Holden, the last man left on the bench, was introduced as an 88th-minute substitute for the injured Temi Eweka with the Stones 4-0 up against Farnborough.

Stones boss George Elokobi told him to do what he could up front and he loved every second of what proved to be a 10-minute cameo after a lengthy spell of added time.

His name was sung throughout by home fans in the Genco Stand, including, ‘If Lenny scores, we’re on the pitch’, and he had a good chance after attacking a cross.

Holden, 19, joined the Stones last summer as understudy to Alexis Andre Jr after leaving Leyton Orient.

His only previous appearance came in a Kent Senior Cup defeat at Welling.

“It definitely wasn’t the way I was expecting to make my league debut for the club,” said Holden, who believes he was about eight when he last played on pitch during a game, although he’s dabbled during training.

“But, nevertheless, it was a great experience, hearing the fans chant my name behind the goal and almost scoring.

“The crowd were brilliant. I’ve never heard a crowd so loud.

“I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I couldn’t score but it was a great Christmas present to get on.

“My mum and dad were in the stand, so I imagine they were laughing at me, seeing me running around the pitch like Bambi on ice.”

Report: Maidstone 4-0 Farnborough

Elokobi on big Stones victory

Eweka had already received treatment for what appeared to be a shoulder injury.

But with the big man still struggling, it was Holden’s time to shine.

He said: “Temi went down once and then he got back up and my heart was going a little bit, thinking, ‘I might have to come on’.

“When he went down again, the gaffer started mentioning my name, he was like, ‘You might have to get ready to come on’.

“I was getting socks off one of the players, getting another player’s shorts, I had to get the blood shirt out of the physio’s bag and before I knew it, I was on the pitch.

“The gaffer just said, ‘Do what you can, listen to Shaq (Coulthirst), listen to the players around you’.

“He didn’t expect much, just run and put in a shift.”

There was no chance of Holden taking Eweka’s place in central defence.

Tayt Trusty dropped into the back four, with Holden playing up front.

A goal would have capped a memorable afternoon for the teenager, who won the club’s man-of-the-match poll.

“I was happy to be up top and wait for my moment of glory but sadly it didn’t come,” said Holden.

“I had a couple of good touches. Sometimes in training, I come out on pitch and fancy myself as an outfielder with my feet but I was gutted I couldn’t score.

“The cross couldn’t have been any better in my path.

“I saw the ball come over, I thought this is my moment to come and attack it.

“I don’t know what happened, I think the centre-half checked me and knocked me off balance, so I missed the header.”

Holden is enjoying his first season with Maidstone, who are fifth in National League South after beating Farnborough.

He has a strong relationship with first-choice keeper Andre Jr and is learning all the time.

“The club’s been brilliant,” said Holden.

“It’s a great group and a great standard, so I’m pushing myself day in, day out.

“Being behind Alexis, who’s a great keeper, and learning from his experience, I can’t fault it. It’s been brilliant. “He’s a very good character and we get on very well.

“Having a laugh day in, day out makes it very enjoyable and that’s when everyone plays their best football.”