Maidstone’s hopes of another long FA Cup run are over after losing at Solihull Moors in the first round.

The Stones, who famously made round five last season, fell behind to a James Clarke goal early in the second half.

National League Moors doubled their lead Jack Stevens converted a penalty in the closing stages, and ex-Gills man Conor Wilkinson added an injury-time third.

It was Maidstone’s eighth first-round appearance in 11 seasons - an excellent record for a non-league side - and they’d won their past four ties at this stage.

But they’d never beaten Moors in eight previous league meetings and hadn’t even scored in four previous trips to Damson Park.

Maidstone held their own in a goalless first half which saw Moors show their quality in patches without breaking the deadlock.

The Stones had to dig in at times, particularly after the half-hour mark as the National League side, beaten 4-0 by League 1 Bolton in the first round last season, looked to force the issue.

But a disciplined performance kept them in the game and they had a decent chance themselves shortly before half-time when a loose ball fell to George Fowler in the box but he fired over.

There was an early opening for Solihull when James Gale fed Stevens who opened his body before stroking the ball past the far post.

Moors defender Finn Howell made a decent challenge on Pierre Fonkeu on the edge of the box to deny the Stones forward a run on goal before the home side picked up the pace.

Their best chances came from balls into the box, with Alexis Andre Jr making a good reaction save after Alex Whitmore met a long throw from Jamey Osborne.

And it was Whitmore who had their best opening of the half, heading wide at the back post from a Gale cross when he should have scored.

Maidstone made a bright start to the second half but fell behind in the 50th minute with Clarke forcing the ball home after Andre Jr made a double save from Gale’s header and the follow-up.

The goalscorer saved his side at the other end two minutes later, getting in the way of Reiss Greenidge’s goalbound strike as United looked for an immediate response.

Maidstone remained in the game, with Aaron Blair a willing worker in attack, but clear-cut chances eluded them as the clock ticked down and with Moors dangerous in attack, they couldn’t risk losing their shape too early.

Arjanit Krasniqi sent a couple of efforts wide on his weaker right foot after coming on while the height of fellow substitute Henry Lodovica gave the Moors defence something to think about.

But it was game over in the 88th minute when Stevens was tripped in the box and got up to send Andre Jr the wrong way from the spot.

And Wilkinson slotted the hosts’ third in the seventh minute of added time.

Solihull Moors: Walker, Clarke, Osborne, Whitmore, Stevens (Tipton 90+3mins), Bowen, Wilkinson, Oakley, Gale (Stevenson 81mins), Howell (Newton 69mins), Adu-Poku. Subs not used: Flahavan, Labadie, Bostock, Ryley, Morrison, Francis.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Fowler, Eweka, Greenidge, Brookes (Krasniqi 78mins), Corne, Trusty (Gurung 88mins), Papadopoulos (Lodovica 78mins), Seaman, Blair, Fonkeu (Bentley 62mins). Subs not used: Smith, Coulthirst, Holden, Court.

Referee: Richie Watkins.

Attendance: 1,682 (601 away).