It may not have beaten the feeling of scoring an injury-time equaliser in the play-off final but goalkeeper Lucas Covolan endeared himself to Maidstone fans with his wonder save at Yeovil.

Covolan’s brilliant reaction stop, diving down to his right to somehow push Morgan Williams’ goalbound header to safety, showed United fans how lucky they are to have the big Brazilian as their No.1.

He’s already remembered fondly by fans of his previous clubs, none more so than at Torquay where his goal in the dying seconds of their National League play-off final against Hartlepool two years ago is still talked about today.

Pools went on to win on penalties although Covolan saved twice in the shoot-out.

“Just remembering that goal gives me goosebumps all the time,” said Covolan. “It was such a happy moment in my career.

“I don’t know if anything like that is going to happen again because of the circumstances of it.

“We were losing the game and then I came up and equalised in the last minute. It’s indescribable to talk about. It was the best feeling I’ve had playing football. I can’t forget it.”

Maidstone had to wait to get their man in the summer with Covolan exploring his options after spending the season on loan at Chesterfield from League 1 club Port Vale.

He was man-of-the-match in the Spireites’ 2-1 win at the Gallagher last season, so Stones fans had an idea what they were getting.

And the 32-year-old showed his class with the save at Yeovil which ensured Maidstone went in goalless at half-time.

“It was a good save but I believe we need to switch on more defending set-pieces,” said Covolan.

“It’s come from a throw-in, and he shouldn’t win the header, but I’m very happy to make the save.

“I’ve trained every single day for the last 20 years and sometimes we make saves like that. I’m good at that one.”

A first clean sheet of the season eluded Covolan when Yeovil, trailing to Levi Amantchi’s goal, equalised from a late corner.

The Stones keeper felt he was fouled by big striker Frank Nouble, allowing Rhys Murphy to pounce.

“I believe it was a foul,” said Covolan. “I’ve looked at the video as well.

“Nouble’s a big, strong lad and he was holding me.

“He probably studied my game a bit because I am positive in my actions inside the box, so they tried to put the ball on me and were holding me.

“I thought we were going to get three points but one isn’t bad.

“I’m still hoping for a clean sheet because it hasn’t happened yet.

“Maybe it will be the next game.”

Covolan moved to Europe from Brazil in 2014, spending two years in Spain, before heading to England.

He played non-league football for Whitehawk, Lewes, Worthing and Torquay, where his form earned a deal at Port Vale.

He joined Maidstone days before the start of the new season.

“For every single player, it’s difficult when you wait the whole summer,” said Covolan.

“Some of the offers I got weren’t good enough for me but I think I’m in the right place now.

“I want to work as hard as I can to get back in the league again, so that’s what I’m doing.

“When I spoke to the gaffer here, he told me his methods and that was one of the reasons that made me come here.

“If I’m doing well and the team are doing well, I’ll get more visibility and again the aim is always to push higher and forward.”

Covolan loves English football although he won’t forget his Brazilian roots.

“England is where football was born,” he said.

“It’s completely different, the football in Brazil and here.

“In Brazil, it’s more technical and here it’s more aggressive.

“Culturally, it fills me up being here because I love to learn new languages and new cultures, so that was one of the reasons I moved to Europe.

“The Brazilian technique is still there. It’s in the blood.

“Sometimes I put myself under pressure because I want to play too much but we learn from our mistakes. I’m always aiming to get better.”