Maidstone striker Matt Rush faces his old club in the play-offs on Wednesday night having started the season at Aveley.

Rush played a big part in the Millers’ terrific early-season form after back-to-back promotions to National League South.

He scored six goals and contributed 10 assists as the Essex club hit the ground running before joining United in November.

The former Southend man has been one of the signings of the season for George Elokobi, with 14 goals in amber and black taking his tally for the two clubs to 20.

Maidstone host Aveley in a play-off eliminator after finishing fourth and seventh respectively.

“I wouldn’t have expected this at the start of the year,” said Rush, 23. “My aim then was to do well with Aveley.

“Danny Scopes (manager) gave me a chance there and it’s come down to playing them in the play-offs.

“Obviously I earned the move here and I came here to get promoted. That doesn’t change.

“It’ll be weird to play against Aveley but it doesn’t really matter who we play.

“I want to win and I want to score. It is what it is.”

Rush was in the Aveley side who won 1-0 at the Gallagher Stadium in September.

He made an unhappy return to his old club in February as the Millers won 2-0 to complete the double over Elokobi’s men.

“We did really well at the start of the season and they just about kept it together to get in the play-offs,” said Rush.

“Fair play to them. For Aveley to be in the play-offs is a really good achievement but it’s the same for us.

“I remember when I was at Aveley and we won 1-0 here.

“At the time we were playing well going forward, we were quite free in how we were playing and we didn’t change.

“Maidstone were a good side but Aveley just play the way they play, they don’t really change.

“For us, we can look at that and see where their weaknesses are and try and exploit that.

“When it comes down to it, the first goal’s going to be big in a play-off game and hopefully we can get it.

“If we can get the place rocking and get that first goal I’d fancy us to win the game.

“It’s going to be a tough game but I’m looking forward to it.”

Rush brought up his 20th goal of the season in scoring United’s fourth in a 5-1 win over Hampton on Saturday.

He was ineligible for Maidstone’s run to the FA Cup fifth round, having already played for Aveley.

So he’s determined to make the most of the chance to be part of a promotion-winning side.

“I’ve been stuck on 19 for three or four games so I’m happy to get to 20 goals before the play-offs,” said Rush.

“It’s a good milestone for me. It’s been a great season personally but now this is the big stuff to get promoted, so I want to do even better.

“The lads have had these big moments all season in the FA Cup.

"I was coming back in for the league games, which were obviously big games as well, but this is a good moment for me to show the fans even more what I can do and hopefully get promoted.”