Little did Jack Paxman know his performance against Maidstone last month would help secure a move to the Gallagher Stadium.

Creative midfielder Paxman was the best player on the pitch when Witham drew 1-1 at United on Valentine's Day.

Weeks later, the 21-year-old has swapped a relegation battle for a Ryman League Premier Division title challenge.

He faces a fight to break into the team before the end of the season but feels his career is going places for the first time since he was released by Southend two years ago.

A spell at Chelmsford followed before Paxman cut short an unhappy scholarship in America.

Paxman said: "I was very unlucky to be released by Southend. It was just bad timing.

"Paul Sturrock was the manager when I was coming through as a scholar.

"I'd featured in first-team squads a few times but when he left, Phil Brown came in and decided I wasn't in his plans.

"It's been a long, hard journey. I went to Chelmsford at the beginning of last season, then I took a scholarship in America but came back after three months.

"It was one of those situations where I felt I might regret it if I didn't go. I tried it, and did well football-wise, but I didn't enjoy the experience.

"I was unknown when I came home so I had to start at the bottom.

"I've worked hard to make my way up and I'm now at a team where I can push on."

Read the full interview in Friday's Kent Messenger