Proud Maidstone boss Jay Saunders knew his side were close to a famous FA Cup first-round upset at Stevenage.

Stones defied the three-division gap to push League 2 Boro all the way in Sunday’s goalless draw at Broadhall Way.

The replay is set to take place at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday, November 18 and could be shown on television.

Stevenage hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages but there was no holding back from a Stones team who went closest through Frannie Collin and Alex Flisher on a memorable day for the Ryman League Premier Division club.

Manager Saunders said: “We’ve created some good chances against a decent side. On another day one of them goes in and it’s great.

“With five minutes to go we were under a bit of pressure, which you’d expect, and I turned round to Nicky Southall (assistant boss) and said ‘we don’t deserve to concede here.’

“I really felt we deserved to go back and have another crack at them and we’ve got that chance.”

Stones had a decent spell midway through the first half but Saunders had some work to do after Boro took control before half-time.

He added: “I felt we could have a bit more of a go at them. We were showing them a little bit too much respect for the last 15 minutes of the first half and we sat too deep.

“We said to come out in the second half and have a go at them, get on the ball, be more confident and get it wide and when we did that we caused them problems.

“I’m delighted with it and on another day we could have won the game."

Stones were roared on by almost 1,400 away fans in a gate of just under 3,000.

Saunders said: “There won’t be another League 2 club this year who come here and bring that support.

“From the first minute to the last they didn’t stop singing.

“It really does make a difference. I thought they were different class and hats off to them.”