Maidstone United manager George Elokobi reacts to 1-0 FA Cup third qualifying round victory at Herne Bay

Boss George Elokobi was more than happy to take the overdue bit of luck which led to Maidstone’s winning goal in their FA Cup tie at Herne Bay on Saturday.

The National League South side edged to a 1-0 victory against their Isthmian South East hosts to reach the fourth qualifying round as young Bay defender Skye Salmon put through his own net just before half-time.

Seven days earlier, a mix-up between Stones defender George Fowler and goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr had allowed Chesham to take the lead during a 2-2 league draw at the Gallagher Stadium.

But it was Elokobi’s men who were the beneficiaries of a mix-up at Winch’s Field after they had dominated in the first half, with Salmon inadvertently nodding past on-rushing goalkeeper Harry Brooks to find his own net.

Asked if his team had deserved that bit of luck, Elokobi replied: “I’d say that.

“When you look at the chances we created in the first half - their keeper having to make a couple of saves and us hitting the post - it was important that we kept going. Our heads didn’t drop.

“Could we have been a little bit more clinical at times? Yes, we should have been - in both the first and second half.

Report: Herne Bay 0-1 Maidstone

“But we have been working, making sure we recognise triggers on when to press aggressively, and the players recognised that today and put their centre-back under immense pressure.

“It was like we saw last week against Chesham at home when they put our defenders under immense pressure and it led to a mistake that cost us a goal. That’s exactly what has happened here today, as well.

“We knew, if we gave them time on the ball, they could hurt us in the wide areas with diagonal passes that were going to put us on the back foot. We didn’t give