Luke Jenkins’ debut highlighted why Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm is such a big believer in the loan market.

Jenkins went straight into the starting XI following his arrival from AFC Wimbledon and excelled at the back as Angels upset Torquay in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

McKimm has taken several young players on loan from the Dons over the years, most notably midfielder Jack Rudoni, who is now a first-team regular at Plough Lane.

He has an excellent relationship with Wimbledon and will continue to make the most of it.

McKimm said: “It’s important we do the loan market as well as the signings because they are good lads, they come with the energy and desire to get in the first team of the club they come from.

“It’s not as if they’re here just to go through the motions, they’re here to earn a place back at their club.

“We give fair reports back and the clubs believe us if they don’t have someone watching, because they trust us.

“Wimbledon had someone here watching Luke but, if they didn’t, they know they’d get a fair assessment back.

“We’ve got a good relationship with Wimbledon, and the same with Crystal Palace, but they can’t let players out until January because they’re a Premier League club.

“What we’ve got to do is go and watch these games, identify players and if they’re letting them out on loan then we might be able to get them.

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“If they don’t then we look at other options.”

McKimm did just that with Jenkins, scouting the centre-back in a Football League Trophy tie this season.

Angels were in pole position to pounce once the 19-year-old became available and he could hardly have made a better start to his month at Longmead.

“That’s his second 90 minutes this season,” said McKimm, following Tonbridge's 2-1 Trophy victory over Torquay.

“He seemed to be cramping up a little bit towards the end but he did well.

“He’s a young lad but he’s energetic and he wants to do well and he wants to win.

“He took 10 or 15 minutes to get into the game and then I thought he was superb.

“He’s settled in well, the boys have taken to him and he’ll do well for us.”