Maidstone limped out of the FA Cup at lower-league Needham Market.

Luke Ingram's early goal proved enough as the Southern League hosts bridged a two-division gap to defeat National League Stones in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

United, out of form and low on confidence, could have few complaints, beaten by the better side on the day.

Billed by Needham Market as the biggest game in their history, their players were either going to freeze or be bang up for it.

The latter was the case and they deservedly led at half-time against a Stones side who struggled to get going.

Needham got the early goal every potential upset needs when they took the lead in the ninth minute.

Jake Dye was the provider with a cross from the left which Ingram won at the back post before finishing.

Maidstone occasionally got some football going in midfield, with Regan Booty, Sam Corne and Roarie Deacon combining, while Dylan Barkers used his long legs to bring the ball forward a couple of times, albeit with nothing at the end of it.

Generally it was tough going, though, with Needham working hard to stop them playing and doing everything you’d want from a lower-league side.

The other option was to go long, and that brought little joy.

The visitors went close when Deacon rolled a free-kick to Booty, who hit the bar, with Joe Ellul’s blockbuster follow-up deflected wide for a corner.

That was as good as it got for Maidstone in the first half and they nearly fell two down just before the break when Ross Crane struck the woodwork after turning with his back to goal and shooting from 20 yards.

Maidstone started the second half with more purpose, winning successive corners, with Needham already looking to slow the game down from throw-ins and set-plays.

The early promise soon fizzled out, however, with Needham looking comfortable.

Kyle Hammond sent a free-kick out of the ground for the hosts before Ingram cut inside and worked Mersin low to his left.

They had another chance when a loose ball dropped to Noah Collard in the box but he went for placement rather than power.

Needham tried to be too clever for their own good at a corner midway through the half, giving Booty the chance to counter and feed Jack Barham, but the chance was snuffed out.

A big opening followed for Needham when they came away with the ball in midfield and sent Jacob Lay in on goal.

Lay took it past Mersin, who’d come racing out of his goal to try and deal with the danger, but Gavin Hoyte got back to make the block with an open goal there for the taking.

Maidstone: Mersin, Hoyte, Ellul, Mensah, Galvin, Barkers (Alabi 46mins), Booty, Corne, Pattisson (Fawole 58mins), Barham, Deacon. Subs not used: Odusanya, Iandolo, Earle, Gurung, Cawley.

Referee: James Durkin.

Attendance: Not given.