A closer look at Maidstone United as FA Cup minnows enter uncharted territory

Maidstone United produced the biggest FA Cup upset at the weekend as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition beat Stevenage to reach the fourth round.

The sixth-tier club are waiting to learn who they face next after a 1-0 victory against the League One side sealed their sixth FA Cup win this season and a place in the hat for Monday night’s draw.

Here, the PA news agency turns the spotlight on The Stones, who have reached the fourth round for the first time.

How @maidstoneunited have achieved their record-breaking #EmiratesFACup run pic.twitter.com/mHkAhVSXMA

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024

Second qualifying round – Steyning Town 1-4 Maidstone

Third qualifying round – Winchester City 0-2 Maidstone

Fourth qualifying round – Torquay 0-2 Maidstone

First round proper – Chesham United 0-2 Maidstone

Second round proper – Maidstone 2-1 Barrow

Third round proper – Maidstone 1-0 Stevenage

Sam Corne, scoring Maidstone

Maidstone reached the third round proper for the first time since 1987 when coming from behind to beat League Two promotion-chasers Barrow 2-1 last month thanks to goals from Sam Corne and Bivesh Gurung, who fired a superb 74th-minute winner. Against Stevenage on Saturday, midfielder Corne kept a cool head to convert a first-half penalty and that was enough to dump out Steve Evans’ League One high-flyers, who are 69 places above The Stones in the league pyramid.

Super proud of our HISTORY MAKERS #facup #celebrate #celebration #enjoy #team #togetherforever #football #maidstoneunited #maidstone #stones #chop

by @acerhelen pic.twitter.com/JDPHZd6h5g

— George Elokobi (@georgeelokobi) January 8, 2024

Manager George Elokobi said after his side’s win on Saturday that it would be a dream come true if they were