Stuart Lewis' suspension has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Maidstone.

Lewis served a two-game ban after his second red card of the season at Boreham Wood last month.

The last thing he wanted was to miss matches but he returned on top form against Sutton, capping his display with the winner.

He also looked the part in Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Macclesfield.

Lewis, 30, said: "It was disappointing to get the sending off at Boreham Wood but sometimes you have to turn that into a positive.

"It might have given me a couple of weeks to refresh the batteries and I felt like I was chomping at the bit to get back playing and it was great to get the win and the goal.

"I had a couple of weeks off and the gaffer me a few days to recuperate.

"I've played a lot of games this year so it has helped me having a break at my age.

"I trained well all week and I felt really sharp and I think I took that into the game.

"I was buzzing to score and ultimately get a massive three points because we needed that and it backed up a real good performance against Torquay."

Victory over Sutton was Lewis' first as skipper, having been banned against Torquay when Lee Worgan took the armband.

It's been a tough start as captain with United going through a 17-game winless run before back-to-back victories - not that he's taken it personally.

Lewis said: "Since I was appointed captain we couldn't get over the line but we've played well at times, we just haven't been able to get the performance and the result.

"But the last couple of weeks we've got the performance and the result and I think both wins have been thoroughly deserved.

"How I play and how I am as a person, I think I was disappointed anyway, regardless of being captain.

"The whole group, we'd talk about it on journeys home and after training we'd be talking about what we could do to get back on it.

"But it was tough because there were games like Eastleigh where, for 75 or 80 minutes, we completely played them off the park.

"There's so many games where we didn't quite get the win but we'd played really well.

"At the time it was just a case of concentration in key moments."

Lewis' goal was his fourth of the season from midfield - a handy return and one he's capable of adding to.

He said: "A lot of managers that have worked with me know in training I'm quite a good finisher and this year I've definitely taken that into my game.

"The gaffer encourages me to make the box and that's four since Christmas in the league now and if I can get a few more it'll be a positive season."