Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell has revealed their FA Cup draw against Maidstone was his ideal tie at this stage of the competition.

Isthmian South East Bay will welcome George Elokobi’s National League South side, who reached the FA Cup fifth round proper last season, to Winch’s Field in the third qualifying round next weekend.

It was a draw Lovell had set his sights on after last Saturday’s 3-0 victory against Isthmian Premier Hendon.

“It’s funny because on Saturday, after the game, people said to me ‘Who would you like to get in the next round?’,” explained Lovell.

“I said ‘The best draw we could get is Maidstone at home’. It’s a great club.

“It used to be a Football League club and they’re very well-supported. George is doing a good job there.

“It will be a good day for everyone at Herne Bay.

“We’re looking forward to it as a team and a management group to put ourselves against someone two leagues above us.

“Hopefully, it will be a good day.”

Lovell’s team will be massive underdogs against the National League South visitors - but their Welsh manager is confident they can give the Stones a run for their money.

“It’s something we’re going to have a go at,” said Lovell, whose troops will be playing for £5,625 in prize money.

“We know we’ll have to be at our best to give Maidstone a good game. But if we’re at our best, we know that we will give them a good game.

“Hopefully, it will end up in us getting a good result against them.”

Midfielders Artem Kuchkov and Scott Heard scored for Bay against Hendon before striker Mike Salako added a late third.

Lovell reflected: “It was a really good performance.

“The work-rate and character came to the front on Saturday and, although it was three, it could have been more. We were so much better than them on the day.

“They’re a good side, Hendon, but we were just much sharper and fitter than them.”

While Herne Bay were knocked out of the Velocity Cup at Sheppey 5-4 on penalties on Tuesday, a goalless draw ensured Bay kept a fifth clean sheet in six matches.

Goalkeeper Harry Brooks has kept four of those and has returned to being Bay’s No.1, with teenager Taite Holtam having returned to parent club Gillingham.

“Taite has gone back and Harry has come in and done really well,” said Lovell. “He’s a great lad and a good character.

“When Taite came in, Harry did it the right way. He knew he had to fight for his place and that’s now reaping rewards.

“At the moment, there’s no need to think about playing anyone other than Harry.

“He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing.”

Lovell and son-assistant Mark Lovell tinkered with Herne Bay’s pack in midweek at Holm Park.

Although captain Kane Rowland’s saved spot-kick proved key as Sheppey winger Gil Carvalho faced his former club, Bay’s boss was still satisfied with what he saw from his side.

He said: “The boys that came in did really well.

“They have been really good. They quite easily could have said ‘I’m not in the team so I want to go somewhere else’ but they stayed and we gave them a game on Tuesday, and they performed well.

“It gives me and Mark problems before we pick a team for Saturday. The way they played, the way they passed it, and what they did defensively, it was excellent.

“Harry Brooks didn’t have too much to do and Aiden Prall, their keeper, was much busier.

“It was a good team performance.”

Bay are at home against divisional rivals Three Bridges in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Lovell said: “It will be nice to have a run in that competition, as well.

“I know they haven’t started well but it’s always a tough game against Three Bridges.

“We just need to approach the game with the same attitude.”

The cup clashes keep on coming for Herne Bay, who host Erith Town in the Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday.