Magnus Okuonghae has enjoyed watching Maidstone's climb up the table - but nothing beats playing.

Okuonghae arrived in February as the big ex-Football League centre-half United needed to shore up their defence.

But he hadn't played a single minute before the Good Friday win at Wrexham, where he was handed his debut in place of Jamie Coyle.

It was his first competitive game since playing for Dagenham at Braintree on Boxing Day but you'd never have known as the former Colchester captain went about his business.

He looked every bit the solid centre-half Maidstone were hoping for when they picked him up following his release by the Daggers.

Okuonghae said: "The boys have been flying and Tuesday, at Macclesfield, was the first defeat since I’ve got here so I had no qualms with not being in the team and, anyway, it’s nice to come into a team that’s on good form and high on morale.

"I was delighted to play. It’s been a long time and I enjoyed it.

"There’s some real grafters in that team and it was a pleasure to play."

Okuonghae's run as an unused substitute was up to eight matches, before he took Coyle's place in United's 3-1 win at the Racecourse.

He said: "Wherever I’ve been, if I’ve been fit, I’ve played and the last year, maybe year-and-a-half, I’ve kind of lost my way where that’s concerned because of injuries and various reasons.

"So it is tough but I’m not the type to sit around and look like I’ve been stung by a wasp because the bigger picture is Maidstone staying up and the boys were flying and I was happy to see that.

"The morale, the togetherness, it’s a great bunch and they’ve got great belief."

Manager Jay Saunders was pleased with Okuonghae's performance and the 31-year-old is hoping to keep his place against Boreham Wood on Easter Monday.

He said: "Hopefully I’ll get a run in the team for the last few games. The manager’s got a decision to make!

"Like I’ve said, I’ve enjoyed watching but it’s nice to play, I’m a football player and that’s what I want to do, so hopefully I can play the last four games.

"When you're not playing you can be a bit negative but it's just life, isn't it?

"Everyone wants to succeed and I'm no different. I want to play as many games as I can."

Okuonghae conceded a second-half penalty at Wrexham but justice was done when Lee Worgan saved the spot-kick.

He said: "I don’t want to start digging out refs and, listen, it’s a great save by Worgs but the lad’s behind me so it’s difficult to foul someone who’s behind you.

"I’ve read the bounce of the ball, I’m going to get there first, he’s kind of tried to put his body across me and I’ve just kept going in the direction I’m going. We’ve collided and he’s gone down."