by Maidstone United pulled off one of the great highlights in FA Cup history after the National League South club stunned Championship promotion rivals Ipswich.
The sixth-tier side sit almost 100 places below their opponents in the English pyramid and few gave them a chance of avoiding defeat at Portman Road. Maidstone stormed in the first half, with goalkeeper Lucas Covolan not at his best at all, but they hit Ipswich with a suckerpunch just before half-time, Lamar Reynolds chipping in the final.
Related: Ipswich Town 1-2 Maidstone United: FA Cup fourth round – live
Normal service was expected to resume after Jeremy Sarmiento’s second-half equalizer for the second-placed team in the Championship. But Maidstone got the better of Ipswich again as they took the lead through Sam Corne’s composed finish and George Elokobi’s heroic side somehow managed to hold off their desperate opponents to clinch the likely victory .
Maidstone began their FA Cup run with victory at Steyning Town all the way back in September and extended the clubs longest run in the competition after this impressive victory booked their place in fifth first round.
Ipswich made 10 changes to the team that reached the final against Championship leaders Leicester on Monday night. Center back George Edmundson was the only player to keep his place with Sarmiento, on loan from Brighton, starting after his equalizer at the King Power Stadium.
Maidstone made five changes from the team that drew against Braintree on Tuesday with former Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte captaining the side. Manny Duku got his first start after the Dutch striker came on after a spell in Gibraltar for Manchester 62.
Ipswich made a quick start and Cameron Humphreys headed home a cross from Omar Hutchinson but Nathan Broadhead’s close-range effort was blocked by George Fowler. Maidstone had another escape shortly after with Sarmiento’s strike from the edge of the area deflecting off the post and Hutchinson was denied by Covolan.
Hutchinson, on loan from Chelsea, threatened again as the winger cut in from the right flank but his shot deflected off Corne and bounced safely off the post. It is no exaggeration to suggest that the Championship club could have scored three times in the opening 10 minutes, with Sone Aluko releasing Broadhead but Covolan’s foot saving the striker’s low shot.
Ipswich continued to hit the Maidstone goal and Hutchinson was denied when Covolan curled his strike around the post. The Brazilian goalkeeper was called into action again, reacting sharply to head out Sam Morsy’s long-range shot for a corner.
Ipswich let nothing in and Edmundson missed a great chance with the defender heading over from a corner in front of goal.
Despite an avalanche of pressure on their goal, Maidstone made it through the first quarter of the competition without conceding. Ipswich captain Morsy was on fire in an attempt but his shot from distance went over the crossbar.
Sarmiento launched a run from his own half but the Ecuadorian winger’s strike was deflected to safety as Maidstone continued to doggedly attack. Ipswich missed another gilt-edged chance to open the scoring before the break as Aluko side-footed a cross from the back.
Maidstone had not laid down a glove on their opponents but they painted for the opener with their first attempt at the cup. Liam Sole broke a ball over the defense for Reynolds to run onto and the striker chipped the ball brilliantly past goalkeeper Christian Walton for a superb lead and his first goal for the club.
Ipswich had 18 shots in the first 45 minutes to Maidstone’s only try but Reynolds’ exceptional finish left the Championship rivals in an uncomfortable second half. The Ipswich fans were getting restless but their nerves were tempered by the equaliser. Jack Taylor played in Sarmiento and the attacker cut inside before drilling a low shot over the desperate diving Covolan.
Substitute Conor Chaplin got in almost immediately but fired his shot over the bar from Leif Davis’ free-kick.
Maidstone weren’t finished though and the sixth tier club came back brilliantly to hand Ipswich another clinical stunner. Reynolds turned provider this time as he released Corne and headed past Walton to spark a frenzy of celebration in front of nearly 4,500 Stones supporters.
Another Ipswich substitute, Wes Burns, went close from the right edge of the area but blasted wide of the post to add to the home side’s frustration.
Ipswich wanted a penalty when Edmundson went down in the area under a challenge from Duku but referee Anthony Taylor booked the defender for diving.
The Championship club were starting to run out of time and Chaplin swung in a shot from the edge of the penalty area which Covolan comfortably saved. Chaplin came close again from a header but Covolan, enjoying the game of his life, cleared the ball off the line.
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Ipswich were getting desperate but Covolan continued to challenge them with the goalkeeper making a brilliant save from Burns’ strike.
Ipswich had eight minutes of injury time to avoid an embarrassing exit but were unable to break down the granite-like Stones to spark euphoric celebrations from the non-league heroes.
