Harry Wheeler said Maidstone’s performance against Leyton Orient was their best since he took charge.

United beat the O’s 2-0 at the Gallagher Stadium yesterday, earning £25,000 in prize money and a place in Monday’s first-round draw.

Wheeler’s men put in a terrific shift against the National League high-fliers and advanced to the main draw for the fifth year running thanks to Blair Turgott’s wonder goal and Elliott Romain’s debut strike.

The Stones boss said: “It’s the best since we came in.

“I thought last week was the best since we came in and this week was better than last week so it’s a positive for us.

“It’s improving but we’re not getting carried away.

“We need to work harder and we need to work even harder this week than we did last week.”

Turgott ran almost the length of the pitch to put Maidstone in front and take his tally for the season to 10.

It was a special goal from the skipper and Wheeler said: “We were right behind it, we kept telling him to drive, drive and keep going and keep going and he has that ability in there.

“It’s the work rate we demand.

“Him there and Elliott Romain coming in and all the lads that played and all the lads that came on, they all work tirelessly.

“It’s about building that character within the group and that environment.

“I believe in Blair, I think he’s a fantastic player.

“We’ll keep working with him, we’ll get the best out of him.

“You get into that one-on-one position in the box and you’ve got to fancy him. It’s a great finish.”

Wheeler had his players in for extra training this week - four sessions instead of three - in preparation for the tie.

He wanted extra time to build on the performance at AFC Fylde last weekend where Maidstone played well despite a 2-0 defeat.

They got their rewards against Orient.

Wheeler said: “It’s relentless hard work all week, in extra days trying to draw everything we could.

“We just felt there was more we could do.

“We try and install a structure and I’ve said to everyone that takes time.

“It’ll take less time the more we’re in but we’ve got to manage it.”

Read the match report from Maidstone's 2-0 win over Leyton Orient