George Elokobi is confident Maidstone will be ready for National League football under his management.

Elokobi was reminded of the quality of the division when United lost 4-0 at Barnet in the FA Trophy last weekend.

The Stones, second in National League South, were no match for their high-flying opponents who sit third in non-league’s top flight.

It’s all part of the learning curve for Maidstone in their promotion quest.

“It’s a big gap - we’ve seen it,” said Elokobi, who takes the Stones to Worthing on Saturday (3pm). “I know all of this.

“It shows us again if we are to come back into this league we need to be prepared as a football club. We need to be ready.

“When that time comes, this club will be prepared under George Elokobi, 100%.

“What the Trophy has done is given us a chance to measure ourselves against a very good side who are doing exceptionally well in the National League.”

Barnet named a full-strength team for the third-round tie.

While that dented Maidstone’s hopes of progressing, Elokobi welcomed the chance to play the best the Bees had to offer.

“I wanted them to play their first team,” he said. “I don’t think any team is going to be taking Maidstone lightly.

“We’ve got a big target on our backs now and wherever we go, teams are going to prepare for us.

“They watched last week and saw what we did against Barrow in the FA Cup and they don’t want to be a club that’s on the receiving end of another shock.”

Elokobi says things have settled down since the euphoria of beating Barrow in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.

The club have embraced the exposure which will gather pace again in the lead-up to the third-round tie at home to Stevenage on January 6.

The tie was overlooked for live TV coverage in the UK but has been moved to 12.30pm for overseas broadcasting.

Elokobi, who grew up watching the FA Cup in Cameroon, said: “It’s important we understand the magnitude of the achievement in getting to the third round.

“It’s fantastic for our football club, for National League South and for non-league football.

“That’s the magic of the FA Cup.

“It’s good that we’re gaining more admirers externally but also globally, which is fantastic for our football club.

“People are taking notice of what Maidstone United is about as a football club.

“Every little bit of positive exposure for our football club is good. We are very humbled that they’ve selected us to be broadcast abroad.

“I know everyone wanted a TV game here in the UK but every little bit helps our football club in terms of the exposure we’re getting.

“Hopefully we can inspire one young man or woman out in a different continent of what Maidstone United is all about and the beauty of the FA Cup.

“I watched the FA Cup in Cameroon but it was all about Manchester United at the time.

“It won’t just be in my country, I’m sure people in America and Asia will be watching because football is a great sport and everyone wants to see it when there’s a game on TV.”

Former Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling last week suggested the FA Cup third round should be seeded to guarantee non-league clubs a glamour tie.

His comments received a mixed reaction but debate is healthy, as far as Elokobi is concerned.

“Jeff Stelling’s a great man,” he said.

“I don’t want to go into what should be done - that’s for the people who make decisions.

“He’s just put a suggestion out there.

“Could we look at it? Sometimes we need to change our ways and if that’s the way forward, I’m sure it’s going to benefit a lot of non-league clubs.

“He’s left that out there for debate, so let the football world keep debating about it. I’ll keep concentrating on Maidstone United.”