Harry Wheeler believes Maidstone have a great chance of beating Macclesfield in the FA Cup first round but still makes the Silkmen favourites.

The visitors are having a terrible time in League 2 after winning the National League last season.

New boss Mark Yates was sacked early last month and they’ve won only once in 17 games since promotion.

Caretaker bosses Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth are expected to remain in charge at the Gallagher this Saturday for a tie many people think Maidstone will win.

Stones boss Wheeler says it’s not that simple as they chase £36,000 in prize money and a place in Monday night’s second-round draw.

Wheeler said: “It would be an upset, of course it would, because they’re a league club.

“They showed how to win this league last year and there’s no pressure on us.

“We’ll go into the game to enjoy it. If we can get through, brilliant.

“If not, then we’ve already had a good win against Orient and we’ve done well.

“You can never assume you’re going to beat a league club.

“Their league is tough, it’s a really tough league, like this one.

“They’ll come and they’ll be desperate not to lose and we’ll be desperate to win it. We’ll see what happens.

“I think it’ll be tight. I don’t think anyone will run away with it.

“But at the same time, if we concentrate like we did at Barnet and apply ourselves with the ability we have, we’ve got a great chance.”