Maidstone United legend Steve Butler recalls successive FA Cup third-round appearances for the club at Watford and Sheffield United in 1987 and 1988

It’s 36 years since Maidstone United last played in the FA Cup third round - and their No.10 that day remembers it well.

Steve Butler led the line on Saturday, January 9 1988 as John Still took his Conference side to play Sheffield United.

They set up a trip to Bramall Lane after three replays against Kidderminster, Butler scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory.

The prolific striker had a glorious opportunity to put the non-league side in front against the Blades, then in the old Division 2.

It went begging and United lost 1-0.

The Stones are finally back in the third round, taking on Stevenage at the Gallagher on Saturday (12.30pm).

“I missed a great chance in the first half,” said Butler, who still lives in Maidstone.

“I remember going round the keeper on the left-hand side.

“People were closing me down and the ball just rolled past the post. It was the best chance of the game.

“I was absolutely gutted I missed it.

“You never know, if you go 1-0 up, how the game’s going to unfold but we gave a really good account of ourselves that day.

“I thought we had a chance of winning as the game went on but they nicked a goal. It was one of those what could have been, should have been moments.

“It makes me feel very old when you say it’s 36 years ago.”

It was a second successive third-round appearance for Butler and Maidstone.

Twelve months earlier, they went to Vicarage Road to play top-flight Watford, backed by 4,000 travelling fans.

The Hornets, managed by Graham Taylor and with future Liverpool star John Barnes in their ranks, won 3-1.

But they were given a scare by Bill Williams’ Stones side who led through Steve Galloway.

“The pitch was absolutely rock-hard - it wouldn’t have been played nowadays,” said Butler.

“There was