Vanarama National League side Maidstone United entertain Division Two Macclesfield in a potentially enthralling F.A. Cup first round tie on Saturday.
Having come in at the last round, the Stones beat Leyton Orient two-nil in the fourth qualifying round. After a goal-less first half, in form Blair Turgott put Harry Wheeler’s side ahead in the 54th minute and Elliott Romain scored the crucial second with fourteen minutes remaining.
Although Maidstone aren’t having the best of seasons, hovering just above the relegation zone, Macclesfield are having a rough time in Division two with just one victory to their name this season, a 2-0 win against Carlisle United.
Away from home they have picked up just one point from nine league games from a 3-3 draw at Newport County.
Last season the Silkmen won the Vanarama National League by ten clear points ahead of Tranmere Rovers who were promoted via the play-offs.
It was one of the rare times when Maidstone had a game postponed when the two teams were due to play last season but it was nothing to do with weather conditions. It was due to travel congestion on the M25.
When they did eventually play in March the two teams played out an entertaining two all draw. After Macclesfield had hit the post, the Stones went ahead through Alex Wynter.
They held the lead until after half time and Macclesfield may have started to think it wasn’t going to be their day when Nathan Blissett hit the bar but Danny Whitaker levelled soon after. Fifteen minutes remained when Elliott Durrell put Macclesfield ahead and it was then Maidstone’s chance to rue their luck when clattering the woodwork.
However, they were not to be denied and Ross Lafayette fired in the equaliser with seven minutes remaining.
They will hope to go one better in the cup tie to take them to within one game of a potential tie with a club from the Premier League.