Hakan Hayrettin and John Still saw Maidstone produce the perfect FA Cup performance after a late change of plan.

United could have stuck with the tried and trusted against National League promotion contenders Torquay in yesterday’s first-round tie.

But Still, with four decades of coaching experience to draw on, felt he’d found a way to stop the free-scoring Gulls and ran it past head coach Hayettin on Friday night.

It involved moving centre-half Ryan Johnson into a three-man midfield to protect the defence and a return for Luke Pennell into the back line.

The change in system worked a treat as National South Maidstone blunted Torquay’s threat in an outstanding performance.

It took an own goal to settle the tie but the hosts deserved their bit of luck as Dan Wishart’s cross was turned in by Matt Buse.

Hayrettin said: “We spoke about it late Friday night. John phoned me up and said what about this and I said yes.

“As soon as he told me I was about to have my prawn cocktail and I said yes, let’s do it.

“It was the right thing for the club, for the team, for everybody, and it proved how good we can can be on a day like this.”

Still spoke to Johnson’s old boss at East Grinstead, Matt Longhurst, who confirmed the defender could excel in midfield.

And when Pennell, who’s had a tough start to his career at the Gallagher, assured the bosses he was ready, Maidstone had their system.

Still said: “I thought we played a game today where it restricted them to few chances - and they’re a high-scoring team - and every time we went forward we looked dangerous.

“I thought it was first-class from everybody, work rate and quality.

“You know what, even if we’d lost, it was the right thing to do.

“It’s the best game Ryan’s played for the club and he’s been good since he’s been here.

• Maidstone 1-0 Torquay

“The guy that manages East Grinstead is a pal of mine so it was easy for me to ask the right questions.

“Can I just say with Pennell, the ball is in his court now.

“That’s the standard. Drop below the standard and you go and sit on the bench again.

“When he came here I knew we might have to wait a while but I know he’s a good player - I know he’s a good player.”

Hayrettin added: “John’s been saying he’ll probably be our best player when he’s fit. If he plays like that week in, week out, we’ve got someone.”

The draw for the second round will be shown live on BBC2 tomorrow night (7pm).

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