Jay Saunders has challenged new signing Dumebi Dumaka to earn a move to the big time by showing what he can do for Maidstone.

Dumaka capped an impressive debut by scoring the only goal at Bishop’s Stortford as Stones moved back into second place in National League South.

The big striker was linked with West Ham and Ipswich before joining Maidstone from Grays on Friday night.

United had been monitoring the 22-year-old since last season but previously decided against making a move once it became clear pro clubs were watching him.

Boss Saunders said: “It was one of them that when we were interested earlier in the season, there was all of a sudden a lot of league interest and I just thought there’s no point in going in for him, I didn’t think we’d be able to compete.

“It looked like he was going to get a move and it kind of hasn’t happened for the lad.

“I had a good chat with him in the dugout before the game and just said if you do want to move on - and I’m sure he wants to go and play professional football - you’ve got to get consistency in your game.

“This is the next step up for him. If he can prove that he can come in and score goals at this level over the last 15 games then he’s got a chance.

“Another Conference South club that could probably pay a lot more money than us came in but thankfully he’s chosen to come here.”

Saunders was thrilled with Maidstone’s performance on a shocking pitch at Stortford, proving they were up for the battle but also trying to play when they could.

Jack Paxman - normally left out on poor pitches - typified their efforts after stepping in for Dan Sweeney, who was ruled out by illness.

Saunders said: “Pax has been unlucky of late. Again he’s one I’ve said can you go and do it on pitches like this and, do you know what, I thought he was outstanding. For me he was one of the best players on the pitch.

“I just said to him in there ‘it proves you can do it’ and he said ‘don’t ask me to do it again!’

“I love Pax to bits. He’s another lad that I want at the club, he’s got so much ability but I’ve been on at him all season that he’s got to learn when and when not to play.

“He was back defending, he made a great tackle just before he came off.

"He can do it, it’s just he’s got this tag as this ball-playing midfielder and he’s probably never had to do the other side of things before."

Read the match report from Saturday's 1-0 victory.