FA Trophy Fifth-Round draw: Eastleigh v Maidstone United
Published: 15:36, 16 January 2023
Updated: 22:18, 16 January 2023
Maidstone United will visit National League rivals Eastleigh in the FA Trophy Fifth Round.
The Stones reached the last 16 for the second time in three seasons with a penalty shoot-out victory at Notts County.
Maidstone have already been to Eastleigh in the league this season, losing 5-2 after Gavin Hoyte was sent off while the visitors were leading 2-1.
The Stones led Notts County 2-0 at Meadow Lane on Sunday courtesy of Regan Booty's first-half spot-kick and a spectacular second goal from Roarie Deacon just before the hour mark.
County took the tie the distance but Maidstone, with George Elokobi in caretaker charge for the first time, won 6-5 on penalties, Tom Hadler making the decisive save.
Maidstone lost 5-4 to Isthmian Premier club AFC Hornchurch in the last-16 stage two years ago.
It proved their final game before the season was curtailed due to the Covid pandemic, while the Urchins went on to lift the trophy, beating Hereford 3-1 in the final.
The Stones, who've never won the FA Trophy, reached the quarter-finals in 2019, losing a replay 3-0 at home to Stockport - then of National League North - after a 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park.
Fifth-Round matches are due to be played on Saturday, February 11, with £6,000 on offer to the winners and £1,750 for the losers.
FA Trophy Fifth-Round draw: Hungerford Town v Farsley Celtic; Maidenhead United v Harrow Borough/FC Halifax Town; Southend United v York City; Eastleigh v Maidstone United; Torquay United/Taunton Town v Barnet; Aldershot Town v Dorking Wanderers; Banbury United/Coalville Town v Gateshead; Bracknell Town v Altrincham.
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Craig Tucker