Chris Lewington made an unexpected debut for Maidstone on Tuesday night - just his second game of football in 18 months.

United's goalkeeper coach was thrown into action as an early substitute for Dion-Curtis Henry, who injured his foot in a clash with FC Halifax forward James Hardy.

He showed he was up to the task, making an outstanding save from Scott Quigley, and could be set for a run in the team if on-loan Crystal Palace youngster Henry ends up on the sidelines.

Lewington said: "I've never come on like that in a game before.

"It was a strange scenario but hopefully Dion's all right.

"He'll go back to Crystal Palace and get checked out and we'll see how he is.

"I think he kicked the bottom of the other lad’s foot.

"Where he tried to put his foot through the ball, he’s gone through with a lot of force, so it’s a nasty one, that’ll be painful.

"I wasn't nervous coming on, I was quite looking forward to it.

"I haven’t played for a little while so it was nice to get a game in but I’m disappointed not to get anything out of it.

"I played for Weymouth six weeks ago as a one-off game but before that I last played about 18 months ago for Welling so it's been a long old time.

"I was at Dover for 18 months and didn't play a game but I've been here two weeks and I'm in. It's crazy."

Stones boss John Still invited Lewington on to his coaching team having worked with the goalkeeper at Dagenham.

The 30-year-old still enjoys playing but accepted Still's offer with one eye on the future.

He said: "I think coaching's something I'd like to go into and the manager's given me an opportunity to come in here and do it.

"I’m still very young for a coach so the more experience you get, the better chance you’ve got at progressing with that as a career.

"I do love playing football but I understand that to have longevity in the game sometimes you need to look at the other side and coaching is something I’d like to turn my hand to properly in the future and be a full-time coach somewhere.

"Potentially that’s the future. I’m just getting a bit of experience now and the management have been brilliant helping me along.

"It’s new, I’m sitting in the manager’s office, it’s different for me but I’m enjoying it.

"John gave me my professional debut so I owe him a lot.

"I probably wouldn’t have played professionally if it wasn’t for John and a couple of other people.

"The opportunity came up here to work with him.

"He said 'I’d like you to be part of something' and I knew it would be exciting, a challenge and something I’d like to get my teeth into."