Maidstone United have won seven matches in their historic run to the last 16 of the FA Cup.

That’s already one more than it would take a Premier League or Championship club to win the competition.

Here’s a look back at the Stones’ journey to round five as George Elokobi’s giantkillers prepare for Monday night’s match at Championship club Coventry.

Second Qualifying Round

Sept 16: Steyning 1-4 Maidstone

Sol Wanjau-Smith’s first Stones hat-trick secured victory at Southern Combination League Steyning.

He struck twice in 12 minutes before the half-hour mark but United were glad to hear the half-time whistle after Charlie Meehan pulled a goal back.

Levi Amantchi restored the two-goal cushion just after the break and Wanjau-Smith’s half-volley completed the scoring.

Elokobi said: “Full credit to Steyning Town. They gave us a good test. It was about being professional and respecting the opposition in order to get ourselves into the hat for the next round.”

Prize money: £3,375

Third Qualifying Round

Sept 30: Winchester 0-2 Maidstone

Two goals in five second-half minutes from Levi Amantchi sent Maidstone through against their Southern League hosts.

United laboured in the first half on a difficult pitch but got the job done after the break.

Amantchi scored a fortuitous opener with Sam Bone’s strike coming back off the post and hitting him in the face, before rounding the keeper for his second.

Sol Wanjau-Smith’s Panenka penalty hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the line but wasn’t given.

Elokobi said: “We showed them the pitch and said it wasn’t going to be pretty. It looks green, however, it’s not an easy pitch. You want to be coming here now and not in the middle of winter, so it was tough but credit to the boys - they managed it well.”

Prize money: £5,625

Fourth Qualifying Round

October 14: Torquay 0-2 Maidstone

Maidstone made the 440-mile round trip to Plainmoor for the second week running, following a 1-0 league victory.

Torquay dominated the first half but the Stones benefited from a controversial opener with the Gulls adamant Levi Amantchi had kicked the ball out of keeper Mark Halstead’s hands.

Amantchi clinched victory in the second half, pouncing after a shot from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft was parried.

Elokobi said: “A terrific performance from our group of players again. We showed a lot of grit coming to Torquay twice in a week, so we are absolutely delighted with the result.

“We knew we were coming into a territory where they would be up for this game because of the outcome last week.”

Prize money: £9,375

First Round

Nov 4: Chesham 0-2 Maidstone

Maidstone made it four successive away wins in the FA Cup with a Devonte Aransibia-inspired victory at lower-league Chesham.

Aransibia swept home an early opener from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s cross before turning provider for Levi Amantchi’s clincher.

Chesham boasted a phenomenal home record but a professional Stones performance clinched a spot in round two for the first time since 2019.

Elokobi said: “It was a great FA Cup tie. We knew we were up against a good team, especially at home. We grew in confidence as the game wore on, we controlled territory and possession. Then, in the second half, we needed that second goal to kill the game off.”

Prize money: £41,000

Second Round

Dec 2: Maidstone 2-1 Barrow

Bivesh Gurung scored the goal of the round as Maidstone reached the third round for the first time since 1988.

His number had gone up to be substituted but he stayed on the pitch at the last second after team-mate Sol Wanjau-Smith signalled he couldn’t carry on and made way instead.

Local lad Gurung made the most of the reprieve with a sensational 25-yard strike from Sam Bone’s lay-off.

Earlier, Sam Corne timed his run to perfection to cancel out Ben Whitfield’s opener for the League 2 promotion contenders.

Elokobi said: “As soon as it left his feet we knew it was going in but if there’s one person that deserves it, in my book, it’s Bivesh. It was one of the best goals I’ve seen here but if you are to win in the FA Cup, it takes that - a rocket of a strike.”

Prize money: £67,000

Third Round

Jan 6: Maidstone 1-0 Stevenage

Maidstone repeated their 2014 FA Cup success over Stevenage in front of a packed house at the Gallagher Stadium.

Sam Corne’s first-half penalty settled the match against Steve Evans’ League 1 high-fliers.

The Stones rode their luck in the second half but held on to reach round four for the first time in their history.

Mick McCarthy, George Elokobi’s mentor and former manager at Wolves, was in the crowd to see it.

Elokobi said: “It’s the proudest moment of my young managerial career and hopefully there will be plenty more.

“I did say win, draw, lose, it’s about this football club coming together and enjoying this occasion against a great opposition in Stevenage and there was not going to be any stopping that.”

Prize money: £105,000

Fourth Round

Jan 27: Ipswich 1-2 Maidstone

Maidstone pulled off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history with their win at Ipswich.

The Championship high-fliers sat 98 places above United in the football pyramid and were expected to breeze through.

Lamar Reynolds stunned Town with a brilliant opening goal shortly before half-time, to the delight of 4,500 Stones fans.

Jeremy Sarmiento levelled early in the second half but Sam Corne won it from Reynolds’ pass as Maidstone scored with their only two shots of the match.

Ipswich rained in 38 shots on goal but man-of-the-match Lucas Covolan had the game of his life.

Elokobi said: “This was a historic occasion for Maidstone United, for our group of players, our supporters, but more so for our community.

“Someone had to win today and the gods were with us.”

Prize money: £120,000