Cup distractions will be put to one side when two of the Ryman League Premier Division’s big hitters clash at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday.

Maidstone put their unbeaten home record on the line against a Lowestoft side who have come within 90 minutes of promotion in each of the last three seasons.

Stones have one eye on next weekend’s FA Cup tie at home to Skrill South side Boreham Wood, but manager Jay Saunders isn’t losing sight of the more immediate prize.

He said: "Lowestoft have been in the play-off final three years running, so they’re a big side in this league.

"They were the favourites at the beginning of the season and you want to test yourselves against the favourites.

"A lot of managers are saying we’re one of the favourites, which I still think is a bit much for a team coming up. But we’ve got a bit of momentum – we’ve only lost once in 14 games and it’s important to carry that on."

Saunders has been forced to think about signing players as cover, with Richard Davies out for at least a month after injuring knee ligaments in Saturday’s 4-1 FA Cup win at Merstham.

Jack Sullivan took his place at right-back for the Kent Senior Cup tie in midweek but he also suffered a knee injury.

Defender Steve Watt (calf) and midfielder Alex Brown (hamstring) also came off at Merstham. Watt should be fit to face Lowestoft, but Brown is a doubt.