Lamar Reynolds’ prediction came true with his terrific strike in Maidstone’s FA Cup win at Ipswich.

Reynolds was being interviewed by KentOnline a fortnight ago when team-mate Liam Sole jumped in and asked when he was going to score his first goal of the season.

“That’s a great question,” replied a laughing Reynolds, adding: “I think I might save that for Ipswich.”

The pair went on to room together on Friday night when the subject came up again.

Lo-and-behold it happened, with Sole setting up Reynolds, who ran through and brilliantly chipped keeper Christian Walton to put Maidstone 1-0 up at Portman Road.

Reynolds, 28, later assisted Sam Corne’s winner as United reached the last 16 in one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history.

“It’s funny because we shared a room together yesterday,” said Reynolds, speaking after the game.

“When we were there last night we spoke about the game briefly and we said that, yeah, we’re going to score and assist each other and it happened.

“That feeling was amazing.”

On the goal, he added: “We knew counter-attack was probably our best way of maybe nicking a goal or two and luckily he played a great ball over to me.

“Initially I thought of a different type of finish.

“I don’t think a lot of people think of trying to chip the keeper in that scenario but he came off his line quite early and pretty much made my mind up.”

Few could believe it was Reynolds’ first goal of the season given the quality of the strike.

But he took the chance to show what he could do as a central striker after Maidstone, having been overrun in the opening stages, changed system.

“I think they exploited us a bit so we had to switch up the formation so I went more into the striker position,” said Reynolds.

“I think I’m probably more comfortable in that position with two up front.

“I’ve recently played through the season more like a wing-back but if I’m given the opportunity to stay high and just go forward, I can definitely get goals and today showed that.

“I’ve probably been a bit defensive this season but the gaffer’s trusted me to go a bit higher and I guess I’m doing well for him.”

The assist for Corne’s winner was pretty impressive, too, intercepting a pass and keeping his cool to find the marauding Stones midfielder, who also scored United’s third-round winner.

“I thought I was on my own,” said Reynolds.

“I looked to my right and saw Sam Corne bursting through.

“I’m happy he burst through because I was knackered.

“I just had to play him the ball and he did a great touch.

“They’ve recovered well but he’s managed to smash it into the bottom corner. It’s a great goal from him.”

Reynolds is due in work today, driving autistic young adults to sporting events.

He’ll take a break to watch the draw as the reality of Maidstone’s achievement sinks in.

“It’s one of those things where you just have to believe,” he said. “Now you have to believe it because it’s happened.

“We’re in the round of 16 so who would have thought that? That’s ridiculous.

“When you think about it, you probably think it’s ridiculous saying it out loud but when you look at it it’s like, ‘wow, what an achievement’.”

While Reynolds and Corne got the goals and keeper Lucas Covolan took the man-of-the-match award, it was very much a team effort as Maidstone upset their Championship hosts.

The forward’s belief grew with every passing moment as the non-league side somehow restricted the Tractor Boys to one goal from 38 shots.

Seeing the rearguard action made him determined to produce the goods at the other end.

He said: “I know they hit the post about three times in five minutes.

“That was a bit nerve-racking but there’s been a few times where players have thrown their bodies on the line to stop the ball from going in.

“When you see something like that, you just get that feeling, ‘I need to do something special for the team’.

“In all players, everyone looks at each other on the pitch and we all know we’re in this together.

“When someone shows that type of character, you just have to do something to try and match it.”