Maidstone United are in the draw for the second round of the FA Cup after holding League 2 Stevenage to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon.

Ryman League Premier Division United put in a terrific shift and deserved their good fortune at the end when Boro hit the post twice in the last few minutes.

Captain Steve Watt and central defensive partner Sonny Miles were brilliant but Jay Saunders' were committed to attack and had chances to win themselves.

Stevenage enjoyed early possession but Maidstone – backed by 1,400 travelling fans – settled into the tie and created the first meaningful chances.

Frannie Collin dragged an effort wide after Alex Flisher won possession and freed Matt Bodkin, whose strong run had the home defence in trouble.

Moments later Bodkin was denied by Boro keeper Chris Day after turning on Flisher’s ball across goal.

Those efforts triggered a spell of dominance from the Stones before Stevenage grew into the half with Charlie Adams and Charlie Lee growing influences.

Watt did superbly to take the ball off Lee Barnard’s head from a Pett cross and the Stones captain did equally well to thwart Chris Whelpdale at the near post.

Pett couldn’t sort his feet out after Lee beat Tom Mills and crossed, then Lee Worgan got down well at his near post after Whelpdale spun Miles from Pett’s cross.

Maidstone made an encouraging start to the second half with runs from Bodkin and Flisher showing the visitors were capable of getting at the home defence.

Jon Ashton blocked from Jay May after Bodkin’s deflected cross to the near post, then Flisher’s low drive across goal went inches wide via a Stevenage boot.

A double change on the hour reflected Boro’s concern at the threat posed by Maidstone as Saunders’ men continued to take the game the full-timers.

Ashton used his strength to ease Bodkin off the ball as the Stones winger raced in on goal midway through the half.

Former Gills winger Whelpdale wasted a free header from Ronnie Deacon’s cross – the best chance of the match – but Stones were soon back up the other end with Day blocking from Collin.

Miles then threw himself in the way of another Whelpdale effort and as United broke from the resulting corner, Day just got to Flisher’s header ahead of Collin.

Deacon hit the outside of the post from Lee’s pass, then substitute Chris Beardsley’s header hit the woodwork in injury time as United held on.

Maidstone: Worgan, Coyle (Simpson 89mins), Mills, Watt, Miles, Rogers, Bodkin, Parkinson, May (Greenhalgh 72mins), Collin, Flisher. Subs not used: Jordan, Robertson, Davies, Godmon.

Attendance: 2,935