The time is right for Maidstone to focus on an FA Trophy run after years of the competition playing second fiddle to the FA Cup and promotion pushes.

Stones visit National League rivals Boreham Wood tomorrow (Saturday) and boss Jay Saunders says it’s time his side made their mark.

Saunders said: “I’d love to have a good run in the Trophy. We always seem to have gone out early when we have been chasing promotion or been in the FA Cup.

“We have got to stay in the league, that is our bread and butter, but this is a game that takes the pressure off us a bit.”

Stones were ousted in the first round a year ago at home to Burgess Hill Town, having lost at home to AFC Sudbury in the second qualifying round the previous season.

They lost to Eastleigh in the third qualifying round in 2013-14 and though Stones reached the second round the previous season, they fell in the preliminary round in 2011-12.

Stones enjoyed a 1-0 league win at Meadow Park in August but Saunders admitted: “We weren’t great. We’ve only had two clean sheets this season, though, and that was one of them.

“They are a good side and similar to us. If we are able to stay up we’d like to build, improve and kick on like they have done.”

Saunders won’t make wholesale changes, adding: “I don’t have the squad. I might pull the odd one or two out for a rest and bring a couple in from the bench.”