Maidstone defender Jack Cawley will miss out on a shot at reaching Wembley for the third year running.

Cawley can’t play in the Stones’ FA Trophy last-16 tie at Eastleigh this Saturday (3pm) as he’s cup-tied.

He featured for Braintree while on loan earlier this season, with the Iron given permission to play him by former Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin.

That came as a surprise to Cawley, who was a runner-up with Concord two years ago - the delayed 2020 final against Harrogate - before tasting victory as Bromley upset Wrexham last season.

The centre-half, out of favour under Hayrettin, made his first Stones appearance in four months in a 2-2 draw at Yeovil last weekend.

But it’ll be a supporting role for the 30-year-old as Maidstone, under caretaker manager George Elokobi, look to keep their Trophy run going.

“I assumed they wouldn’t let me play in the Trophy because originally it was a one-month loan,” said Cawley.

“But Braintree said they’ve put on the sheet you’re allowed to play and I was like, ‘Really?’

“The last two years I’ve got to the final, so I was a bit surprised but that was their call and I just had to follow it.

“It’s a wonderful day out if you get to Wembley.

“I know our fans would love it and they would go in their numbers. I’ll be backing the boys whether I’m playing or not.

“It’s a competition where if you believe you’ll get to the final, I genuinely believe you’ll do it. There’s a lot of shocks in that cup.”

Summer signing Cawley started the season in the side but soon lost his place.

He wanted to stay and fight but ended up joining Braintree for two months, where an injury restricted his game time.

It’s been a strange season, to say the least, but Elokobi has wiped the slate clean since taking charge last month.

“It’s been a tough old ride, one of the toughest I’ve had in football,” said Cawley.

“But we are where we are and I’m just here to back the boys and try and help us stay in the league.

“Football’s all about opinions. They (previous management) didn’t fancy me but I’ve played at this level for the last four or five years, so I know I’m good enough.

“You’ve got to be mentally strong in football. There’s lots of ups and downs. You’ve got to take the ups well and deal with the downs.

“I wasn’t getting another chance under Hak, definitely not.

“He made it clear I wasn’t in his plans and I was to go out on loan.

“I didn’t want to. I wanted to fight for my place but it was clear I wasn’t going to play.

“Football can be a weird game. One minute you’re on top of the world and the next you’re not. It’s something you’ve got to deal with.

“My dad said football can bring out the worst in people sometimes, unfortunately, but that’s the game we love.”

Cawley worked hard in training for a chance and started in a back three at Yeovil as Maidstone ended a nine-match losing streak in the National League.

He’s revitalised under Elokobi, who he feels has lifted the mood at the Gallagher.

“I spoke to the gaffer last week and he said keep working hard and you’ll get your chance,” said Cawley. “I’ve been doing that.

“I’ve been doing my own bits as well and smashing my running.

“I wanted to show I was ready, that I wanted to get back in the team and fight for us to stay up and luckily the gaffer has given me my chance.

• 'Jack's been exceptional'

“The gaffer’s unreal. He said to me the other day he’s made for this job and he’s infectious.

“His character, his happiness, his drive, it has an effect on people.

“When I came back off loan, it was sad to see lots of people’s heads down.

“Then the gaffer came in and it was a completely different story.

“Everyone was laughing, everyone was happy, and hopefully that will start showing in our results.

“Standards are high in training. Training is very sharp - the sharpest it’s been this season.

“We’ve got a good squad. It’s gutting to see where we are in the table but I’m pretty confident that will change. We all believe we’ll get out of it.”