George Elokobi says Maidstone’s long unbeaten run is all down to doing the basics well.

The Stones continued their fine form with a dominant 2-0 win at home to Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday night.

Victory moved them up to fifth place in National League South and it’s now 12 games without defeat in all competitions.

They boast the best defence in the division, conceding only 13 goals in 15 games, and have kept nine clean sheets in league and cup.

Nobody wants to let the side down.

“It’s about doing the basics,” said manager Elokobi.

“In football, we have to run with and without the ball.

“It’s important we do that and communicate precisely with one another on the pitch, making sure we are organised behind the ball, being compact and making sure teams don’t play through us.

“We make them play around us and if they do that, we defend the cross, and then we land on the second ball, the second phases, and stay alive to ensure we are hard to beat.

“When you have that clean-sheet mentality it’s difficult to concede and none of our players want to be that weak link that breaks that chain.

“So it’s important to see how well everyone is connected between the units in our squad.”

Report: Maidstone 2-0 Eastbourne

Devonte Aransibia’s penalty gave Maidstone a half-time lead and it was his cross that led to substitute Levi Amantchi’s clincher.

The Stones were well on top throughout at the Gallagher, the only blow being the loss of captain Gavin Hoyte to injury after the break.

United are waiting to discover the extent of the problem.

“It was a solid performance from us,” said Elokobi.

“The togetherness in our changing room is second to none.

“We knew Eastbourne were going to come here and try and make it hard for us.

“We had to be patient at times and suss what they were trying to do in terms of sitting in, in a mid-low block, trying to hit us on the counter.

“It was important in that transition we stay organised behind the ball and make sure we keep recycling the ball, switching play as quickly as possible but also looking for those openings in the pockets and the half-spaces in behind.”

Maidstone handed a debut to former Southend striker Matt Rush, their new signing from Aveley.

He arrived at the Gallagher with six goals and 10 assists to his name this season and looked bright over the 90 minutes.

Elokobi said: “You’ve seen what he brings to the squad.

“He’s full of energy, full of skills, he can hold up the play but also run in behind and he doesn’t give defenders time to rest on the ball. That’s important for us.”

Elokobi had urged his players to keep their minds on the job amid the excitement of reaching the FA Cup Second Round.

And he wasn’t disappointed, adding: “Our players know the bread and butter is the league.

“We want to try and make sure we impose ourselves and be as competitive as we can in this league.

“It was important the players straight away were talking about this game and you’ve seen the way they’ve gone and performed.”