Skipper Sam Corne’s return from injury was a major plus for Maidstone in their draw at Hemel Hempstead.

Corne got through 90 minutes after missing the last five games with a calf injury as United drew 0-0 with the Tudors.

He might even have won it near the end after going through on goal.

Stones boss George Elokobi has been treading carefully with the midfielder but it was time to bring him back on Saturday and he showed how much he’d been missed in the middle of the park.

“He's been out for a little while,” said Elokobi. “It's difficult.

“I was thinking, as a manager, should I bring him off with 10 or 15 minutes to go just to protect him?

“But again, we kept communicating between myself, him and Craig (Fagan, assistant manager) and he gave the thumbs up and said he was good to continue.

“When he says it, you have to respect that because he's honest in his work for the team.

“But more importantly, he wanted to ensure that if we didn't take three points, we didn't lose the game either, and that's why he stayed out there.

“It's good to have him back. We've got to build his minutes. We've got to manage his training load.

“It's important that we look at all of that and make sure, hopefully, he'll be available again next Saturday against Bath.”

Corne was given a special welcome back by Tudors defender Kyle Ajayi, who wiped him out near the touchline.

There were calls for a red card but Ajayi escaped with a yellow and Elokobi had no problem with the tackle.

“It was a good challenge, an old-fashioned challenge,” said the Stones boss. “It was old school. He's committed to clearing the ball and Sam has just been half a second quicker than him in terms of nicking the ball.

“He's caught Sam but not a problem. Sam got up and got on with it.

“That's why we're in the National League South.

“It's a physical game and our players know that. When you come to places like Hemel, it's tough.”

Maidstone have dropped to seventh in National League South, the final play-off spot, following the goalless draw.

Report: Hemel 0-0 Maidstone

They’re only three points behind second-placed Torquay but Weston are chasing hard, two points back in eighth.

It was a third game without scoring for Maidstone but a point was better than nothing after back-to-back defeats by Slough and Aveley.

“I thought it was a gritty performance,” said Elokobi.

“It was important we came here with a game plan, we competed and I thought everyone did that for the team.

“It’s a point towards the right direction to ensure we stop the defeats.

“The game just lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.

“We got in once or twice and I thought, is it going to be?

“But, again, credit to our group of players.

“Hemel are one of the in-form teams in the league and we knew that.

“We’d have loved to have taken three points for our supporters, who were great again, but we can build from a clean sheet and a point away from home.”