By Alex Hoad

Andy Ford admits he is finding it hard to focus on Saturday's FA Trophy third qualifying round tie at Harlow with a huge game in Maidstone’s battle for survival looming three days later.

The Stones must first travel to Essex to face the ambitious Ryman League Division 1 North side with £4,000 prize money and a place in the final qualifying round at stake.

However, Stones boss Ford (pictured) admitted his side’s trip to fellow strugglers Horsham on Tuesday is never far from his thoughts as he aims to lead fifth-from-bottom Stones to Ryman League, Premier Division safety.

He said: "The remit is to finish out of the relegation zone. Basically to save our bacon and stay in the division.

"On a personal level, I’d like to get halfway up the table this year."

Maidstone’s task against Harlow has been made harder by the news that the Stones have just 11 senior players to call upon.

James Peacock has a lump on his thigh which is being assessed, while Simon Glover will be out until January with a back injury and Joe Vines is unavailable.

New-boy Danny Lye is cup-tied, Dover loanee Dean Hill is not permitted to play, while Alex Flisher has a groin injury and substitute keeper Harry Lee dislocated his shoulder in training on Wednesday.