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Maidstone caretaker boss George Elokobi stressed it was a team effort after a winning start to his reign.
The Stones reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy on Sunday with a penalty shoot-out success at Notts County.
They beat the National League leaders 6-5 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw in Elokobi’s first game in charge, with recalled keeper Tom Hadler making the winning save.
Elokobi wants players, staff and fans to be as one and that’s what he got at Meadow Lane as Maidstone upset a Mapgies side who had plenty of quality despite making a number of changes.
“Today’s not about me,” said Elokobi, who was placed in caretaker control after Hakan Hayrettin’s dismissal.
“Today’s about Maidstone United Football Club as a whole, based on what has gone on.
“If anybody deserves this, this football club deserves this victory.
“This victory is dedicated to all the travelling fans and the fans that are at home.”
Regan Booty’s penalty and a brilliant 40-yard strike from Roarie Deacon gave Maidstone a two-goal lead.
Notts hit back to force penalties but Hadler, who hadn’t played since a 4-3 defeat at Barnet last October, made the decisive save to send United through to today’s last-16 draw.
“I know there’s good players at this football club,” said Elokobi. “We talked about resilience, we talked about character.
“We gave them tactics to play from and they’ve worked this week ever so well.
“They’ve enjoyed themselves, enjoyed each other’s company and it’s good to see us coming out here and trying to execute those tactical plans that we’ve given them.
“To see them enjoying themselves out there and being together means a lot.
“It’s about believing and trusting in the process that we’re trying to instil into the players.
“They’re going to make mistakes, of course.
“We knew how good Notts County are as a team, so they’re going to score.
“We tried for them not to score but if this happens, we can equally score. I know that.”
Booty, Dominic Odusanya, Jerome Binnom-Williams, Deacon, Christie Pattisson and Josh Fawole scored from the spot before Hadler dived low to his left to deny Matt Palmer.
Elokobi had every faith in those stepping up and also Hadler, who got the nod to play, with on-loan Norwich keeper Dan Barden out injured.
“I said to the boys in there, the theme of the week has been solidarity,” said Elokobi.
“It’s been about believing in yourselves, trusting one another, knowing how good you are in what you do every single day.
“I had no doubt in my mind that the penalty takers we’ve got, based on their technical abilities that I see every day when I’m at the training ground with them (would score).
“Especially this week, given that freedom, the platform to be able to express themselves while they’re out on the football pitch. It’s breathtaking.”
