Maidstone United are into the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their recent history as they came from behind against high flying League Two Barrow.

This game will go down as one of greatest Stones victories in recent years. Despite going a goal down after a defensive issue at the back, and losing Levi Amantchi to injury, Maidstone scored two excellent goals through Sam Corne and Bivesh Gurung to potentially set up an exciting tie in January, when the Premier League and Championship ties enter the competition.

The first half was a tightly contested affair. With just a minute gone, Sol Wanju-Smith was penalised in midfield and the free-kick went to Elliot Newby whose shot went into the Genco End behind Lucas Covolan’s goal.

Benjamin Whitfield then muscled his way into the box. He had Paul Appiah in close attendance and under pressure, his weak effort never troubled Covolan.

Maidstone soon went close to opening the scoring. A free-kick from Sam Corne was met by Sol Wanju-Smith at the near post and Paul Farman expertly scooped the ball away from very close to the line.

But with 20 minutes gone, a defensive mix up for the Stones proved costly as Barrow took the lead. Farman pumped a free-kick into the box which was headed on and the ball was dropping between George Fowler and Covolan. Fowler accidentally got a touch which took it into the path of Whitfield who had the simple task of finishing into an open net.

Sam Bone had a couple of efforts from distance blocked before Maidstone equalised with a goal that oozed quality. Harry Kyprianou passed to Wanju-Smith who played a delightful pass into Corne. Corne was now in plenty of space inside the box and he dispatched a fine, composed finish past Farman.

Maidstone were buoyed by the goal and they had another opportunity not long after this. A corner from Corne was met by Paul Appiah at the near post and his header into the ground bounced wide. However, the Stones’ surging confidence was soon reigned in by the loss of their 20 goals so far this season talisman, Levi Amantchi. Unfortunately for the Stones, Amantchi left the field on a stretcher after appearing to suffer a very painful lower leg injury.

The early stages of the second half saw Barrow probably edge the amount of possession but there was little in the way of goalmouth action. Just before the hour mark, the ball came to substitute Sam Foley who had time to bring the ball down and consider his options but from about 20 yards out, he elected for a half volley which went high and wide.

Then with 74 minutes played, the Stones won the tie with a superb goal. Corne’s corner from the right was only headed out as far as Bone on the edge of the box who touched it into space for Bivesh Gurung who smashed a stunning finish into the left side of the net.

With seven minutes of stoppage time just under way, Barrow hit the Stones on the break. The ball was worked to substitute Ged Garner and he spotted the chance for a quick shot but Covolan was alert to the danger and the Stones held on for a famous win.

Maidstone United: Sam Corne 35, Bivesh Gurung 74

Barrow AFC: Benjamin Whitfield 20

Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 2. Gavin Hoyte (4. Reiss Greenidge 66), 3. Paul Appiah, 5. George Fowler, 16. Liam Sole (6. Raphe Brown 89), 18. Bivesh Gurung (19. Perri Iandolo 89), 15. Sam Bone, 8. Sam Corne, 14. Harry Kyprianou, 9. Sol Wanju-Smith (10. Lemar Reynolds 66), 17. Levi Amantchi (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 45). Subs not used: 12. Damien Niemczycki, 20. Riley Court, 11. Chi Ezennolim, 13. Sam Smith.

Barrow AFC: 1. Paul Farman, 17. James Chester (9. Jamie Procter 79), 5. George Ray, 6. Niall Canavan, 18. Luca Stephenson (7. David Worral 52), 13. Thomas White, 8. Kian Spence, 4. Dean Campbell (16. Sam Foley 51), 11. Elliot Newby, 20. Emile Acquah (10. Ged Garner 79), 34. Benjamin Whitfield (19. Dominic Telford 62). Subs not used: 12. Josh Lillis, 3. Mazeed Ogungbo, 24. Rory Feely, 39. Sam Bellis.