Maidstone’s record-breaking FA Cup run came to an end after they were put to the sword in the Fifth Round at Coventry on Monday night.

Cheered on by nearly 5,000 away fans, the Stones were playing in the last 16 of the competition for the first time.

Match report: Coventry 5-0 Maidstone

But Coventry were in no mood to be on the end of another Maidstone giant-killing act as they raced into a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes and Ellis Simms completed his hat-trick after 35 minutes.

Maidstone forced four corners in the first 15 minutes of the second half and started to pass the ball much better in the final third of the pitch after the break. But two late goals from Fabio Tavares for the home side ensured Maidstone were on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline.

“A big congratulations to Coventry and I wish them the very best in the next round,” said Maidstone boss George Elokobi told ITV.

“My players gave it their all today and that’s all we ask. They ran and fought, it wasn’t enough but we live for these moments in football.

“The magic of the FA Cup is still alive. It’s about showcasing our skills and coming up against a fantastic Championship side in a fantastic stadium.”

Check out our build-up during Maidstone’s historic day (and evening) in the limelight as the club did the town proud below.

The teams headed back into the dressing rooms after their warm-ups with manager George Elokobi leading the Stones players to the away end to thank the away support of nearly 5,000 fans.

Maidstone had made two changes from the team that knocked out Ipswich in round four.

Raphe Brown came in for Gavin Hoyte who’s on the bench while Greenidge was in for the suspended Paul Appiah.

It’s a strong Coventry side as you’d expect with former Ebbsfleet forward Matty Godden on the bench.

Maidstone: Covolan, Greenidge, Fowler, Brown, Berkeley-Agyepong, Corne, Reynolds, Duku, Kyprianou, Bone, Sole. Subs: Hoyte, Ezennolim, Earle, Court, Smith, Gurung, Iandolo.

Coventry: Wilson, Thomas, Kelly, Simms, Wright, Kitching, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Torp, Tavares, Palmer. Subs: Bell, Binks, Dasilva, O’Hare, Godden, van Ewijk, Eccles, Lusala, Andrews.

Referee: Michael Salisbury.

Nearly 5,000 Maidstone United supporters have made the trip for this historic clash. The National League South side have stunned the football world by reaching the last 16 of the famous competition, knocking out three Football League teams on their way.

Around two hours before kick-off there was a rousing reception, despite the rain, for the Stones management and players from the club’s supporters as they stepped off the team coach outside the CBS Arena.

There was no long speech from manager George Elokobi this time around after he ensured the club’s supporters were recognised pre-game at Portman Road in the previous round.

Coventry manager Mark Robins showed plenty of respect for the Stones in his programme notes this evening.

Robins wrote: “Maidstone’s run in this year’s FA Cup is something which has made this competition special over the years. We know that the neutral supporters will want the underdog to be successful and tonight will be no different, but we are focused on the job at hand for us and hopefully disappointing the neutrals.

“George Elokobi has put together a team that are well organised and will put their bodies on the line tonight to try and get a result for their supporters.

“We will do our homework on Maidstone before the game as we always do and look at the threats they will pose us tonight, in a fixture which will pose a different type of challenge to us.”

Hundreds of supporters left the Gallagher on coaches from lunchtime onwards to cheer on their side. Those not fortunate enough to get a ticket can follow all the build-up and game here, the match is also being shown live on ITV4 this evening (kick-off 7,45pm).

Thousands of Stones supporters queued for hours earlier this month in the hope of getting a ticket to watch the game at the 32,500-capacity stadium.

Among the Maidstone well-wishers is England international Alessia Russo.

The former East Farleigh Primary School and St Simon Stock Catholic School pupil and now Arsenal women’s striker is proud of their hometown club.

She told the FA: “I am so excited. I have had many sessions, tournaments and games at the Gallagher Stadium, and I used to go down there quite a bit with my family to watch some live football.

“They have always been a team that has competed, so it has been nice to follow their FA Cup run – it has been really cool.

“I remember when they beat Barrow, in my family messaging group my brother just said MAIDSTONE in capital letters and we all went to check the score.

“My brother is friends with a few of the players on the team and when they beat Barrow, they said that was the best day ever and then in each round they have done the same again.

“They are the underdog in every game, but they keep showing up and taking their chances.

“They have been incredible and making everyone in Maidstone proud.”

The Stones are the first team outside the top five divisions of English football to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.

Blyth’s new chairman Irfan Liaquat contacted KentOnline to pass on his best wishes to the club.

“I would like to send a message to congratulate Maidstone on reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup,” he told us. “It is amazing to see another tier 6 team showing great passion and determination in this cup competition.

“I would like to send my best wishes to Maidstone for the game from everyone at Blyth Spartans. We will be watching the game and rooting for you.”

READ MORE

Maidstone's journey to the FA Cup fifth round

Meet Sam Corne: Maidstone's FA Cup star

Gary Breen: My special memories of Coventry and Maidstone

‘'George came in and kicked me up in the air'

Coventry legend Cyrille Regis was my mentor

From Football League exiles to FA Cup history

Coventry manager signed me - and then got the sack!

Fagan's FA Cup message to Stones stars

My assistant is a Coventry fan - I'd love it if they beat them

Bone: This beats lifting the Irish Cup

Where to watch Maidstone's big FA Cup tie in the town

Maidstone manager George Elokobi’s team has already won seven games to get this far, including the incredible 2-1 win at another Championship club, Ipswich Town, in round four.

It is the first time the club has reached this stage in their 127-year history.

“It’s surreal, it’s historic,” said Elokobi. “We’ve just got to savour this moment and make sure we enjoy it as a community - that’s the whole point of us being here.

“Our players need to enjoy it with their families, the owners, everyone connected to Maidstone, needs to enjoy it.

“Plus, I know we’ve got thousands of admirers out there now, globally, that want us to do well and enjoy being here in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

“You have to believe but also we have to be together and we have to understand the achievement for this football club and the community as a whole and also the history that’s been made.

“There’s no pressure on our players and there shouldn’t be any pressure on us as a football club.

“We know Coventry is a fantastic club, managed by a very experienced manager in Mark Robins.

“We’ve just got to go there and showcase ourselves as Maidstone United Football Club, like we’ve done in all the other rounds.

“We’re going to try and be competitive and we’ll be ready.”

There are no replays at this stage of the competition so extra-time and possibly penalties will come into play if the match is a draw after 90 minutes. The winners will also bank £225,000 in prize money from the FA.