Jay Saunders has confirmed that supporters’ player-of-the-year Stuart Lewis is staying with Maidstone.

Lewis won the fans’ vote after only three months at the Gallagher, such was his impact in the climb to National League safety.

The on-loan Ebbsfleet midfielder is out of contract at Stonebridge Road and has agreed a permanent deal with the Stones.

Boss Saunders said: “Pen’s not been put to paper but everything’s been agreed in principle.

"It’s a done deal. He’ll be in on Tuesday and get everything signed.

“We had a chat in the week and we got there and it’s a good one to get done. He’s been great so I’m delighted we’ve managed to agree something.

“He’s loved his time here. He’s pretty much said he’s never been so happy in his career and that says it all about what we’ve got here.

“He deserves to win supporters’ player-of-the-year.

“It’s probably harsh on some of the lads who’ve been here all season but fair play to him.”

Left-back Tom Mills picked up the manager’s player and players’ player awards after United’s 1-0 defeat by runners-up Tranmere on Saturday.

Mills is under contract for next season and while the move to full-time football potentially complicates things, Saunders is confident he’ll be around.

He said: “It amazes me that he’s not gone higher and I just hope we can agree something that’ll he go full-time with us because I think he’ll get better and better.

“We’ve got talks to have and he’s someone who’s desperate to stay, I’m desperate to keep him, so I’m sure we’ll come to an agreement.”

Saunders felt tiredness caught up with Maidstone against a young Tranmere side with nine debutants.

They would have finished 11th with a win but end the season in a highly respectable 14th place.

Saunders said: “We had large spells of possession but we never looked a threat in the final third to be honest.

“I said at half-time if we didn’t watch it they were going to hit us on the break.

“But if I’m being realistic, I think since the Boreham Wood game, it’s been hard.

“We’ve had a lot of players playing with knocks, tiredness and everything and a small squad and it’s been a few games too far really.

“You’ve got to give credit to Tranmere. They’ve come here with a young side.

“As management, you’re trying to keep the lads motivated but in the back of their mind, they know they’re safe, they know they’re playing a young side and you kind of take things easy.

“It was just a game too far for us against a young team that came here and chased everything and wanted to impress and fair play to them.

"I wish them all the best in the play-offs.”

Read the match report from Maidstone's 1-0 defeat by Tranmere