Maidstone boss Elokobi hails non-league heroes after historic victory

Maidstone manager George Elokobi saluted his players after a historic FA Cup win over Ipswich.

Lamar Reynolds opened the scoring to set the visitors on their way before Jeremy Sarmiento levelled after the break to keep the Tractor Boys in the game. 

Sam Corne — who scored the winner against Stevenage — was Maidstone's hero yet again with a composed finish in the 66th minute to send them into the fifth round.

Elokobi could not hide his joy after watching his side make FA Cup history. 

He told BBC One: "There were a few tears. 

"We have come to Ipswich, with their history, they are flying high in the Championship and for our group of players to be clapped off is amazing. 

"History has been made here and back in my country Cameroon. It is an inspirational moment for us all. 

"Our boys have run themselves into the ground and that is what we said, 'Leave nothing in the changing room'. This binds us for life what our boys are achieving right now. 

"What our boys are achieving now has not been done for over 100 years. The magic of the FA Cup is very much alive." 

Ipswich sit 98 places above Maidstone in the football pyramid but were unable to find a leveller despite 13 shots on target and 38 in total. 

After the result, match-winner Corne was in disbelief and credited Elokobi for instilling confidence in the players to cause FA Cup shock. 

He told BBC One: "I don't think I've got the words to describe it. 

"We had belief and it showed on the pitch, that desire to put our bodies on the line. 

"The manager said we had to have that belief not to sit too deep, to counter-attack and if we did concede we may be able to nick another one and we did that."