Margate v Maidstone United

Joint Maidstone manager Alan Walker insists tonight's match at Margate is bigger than Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying Round tie against AFC Wimbledon.

Or, indeed, the weekend's FA Trophy second qualifying trip to Swindon Supermarine.

The Stones have been in-form on the road this season but travel to Hartsdown Park knowing their hosts are turmoil after the sacking of manager Barrry Ashby and assistant Paul Smith on Monday.

Margate lie 18th in the Ryman Premier and have won only one of their seven home league games.

In contrast, Stones have won four of their six games on the road.

Walker said: "I think the news about Ashby and Smith will make things more difficult for us.

"Some of their players might be upset but it might be that whoever is going to take over will be in the ground and the players will want to take the opportunity to show what they can do."

He insisted: "We will go out and impose our game upon them. We won't change anything because of the situation."

Ben Lewis and Jay Saunders sustained injuries against the Dons on Saturday and are struggling to be fit while Elliot Bradbrook is still troubled by the sore thigh which almost ruled him out of Saturday's game.

Walker said: "Obviously they are three big players for us but we have confidence that whoever comes in will be able to perform."

He added: "We had a big game on Saturday and have another this Saturday.

"For me this is the biggest game of the lot.

Good teams are judged on how they perform in the league, not the cups, and depending on some other results, we can go fifth with a win."

He added: "It is important that we keep in touch in the league, you don't want to fall behind.

Margate caretaker boss Terry Yorath will name the side to face Stones just before kick-off.

The former Wales boss, now Director of Football at the Thanet club, will have to decide whether to make changes after Saturday's disappointing 1-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Wealdstone, which was followed by the double departure of Ashby and Smith.

Neville Southall, Gate's Football Development Officer, will assist Yorath.

Former Maidstone and Ramsgate striker Mo Takaloo is a target for Yorath, after becoming surplus to requirements at their Thanet rivals, following his release late last week.