Maidstone midfielder Dominic Odusanya is starting to feel like a National League player.

Odusanya has started the past five league games - equalling his best run in a Stones shirt - and has let nobody down with his performances.

The former VCD and Tooting man was one of the few players from last season’s promotion-winning squad who had never appeared in the top flight of non-league football.

It’s been a case of learning on the job and believing in his ability.

“Whenever I come into the team, the boys are amazing,” said Odusanya, who looks set to keep his place at home to Maidenhead this Saturday (3pm).

“They get me through the games and I try to contribute where I can.

“I’ve always believed in myself, so I try not to over-think because it can put you in a cave mentally if you start thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m playing against a player that’s been here or been there’.

“You’ve just got to make sure you’re working hard all the time and before you know it, you’re up to scratch.

“I do sometimes look at players and stadiums and be in awe, but that’s football.

“It’s all a bit new to me but football’s not new to me.

“It’s just the tempo is a lot quicker and you’re playing against smarter players.

“There’s a lot less margin for error and things like that.

“But, obviously, you become accustomed to it quite quickly, otherwise you will get found out.

“I’m still young, I’m still learning.

“Every week there’s going to be an experience I go home and have a think about.

“What could I have done better here? What could I have done better there? The player I was playing against, what was he doing?

“You’re playing against some experienced players and as the game’s going on, I’m watching them thinking, ‘Right, as he’s about to head it, he’s running over there’ so I’m trying to get in front of him.

“I’m trying to mirror them and add my own personality and individuality.

“I do think about the game but I also try and switch off when I go home, because football can be quite stressful.”

Odusanya has often been the unlucky one over his time with Maidstone.

He’d come in and play well but make way for players returning from injury or suspension.

The 23-year-old is hoping it will be different this time.

“I have to keep playing well and doing the right things but the team comes first, so it’s one game at a time,” said Odusanya.

“It’s tough because every week the standard of this league is really high. You just don’t know what you’re going to get.

“You don’t know if you’re going to come up against someone unplayable, you don’t know what result you’re going to get. There’s loads of factors.

“I try not to feel too much pressure because there’s more to life than football.

“Once that settles in your head, you get out on the pitch and you learn to enjoy it and have fun while working hard and helping your team out.”