Maidstone manager Jay Saunders has thanked fans for their backing at MK Dons.

There were more than 1,500 Stones supporters in a crowd of 4,804 at Stadium MK and they made all the noise despite the 4-1 defeat.

The away end erupted when Magnus Okuonghae gave Saunders’ side a first-half lead in Saturday’s second-round tie but the Dons hit back after the break.

Saunders said: “The support was outstanding. It was like we were the home team.

"I’m just gutted for them we couldn’t hold out, or even a replay would have been nice, but it’s the FA Cup, we’ve had a good day out.

“If you’d said to me five years ago when we were at Whitstable away or something that we’d be playing in a stadium like this, I wouldn’t have believed you.

"It shows how far you’ve come.”

Saunders added: “I’d like to think our supporters were quite proud of the boys because for a while I suppose we dared to dream but it wasn’t to be.

“I don’t think you’ll have a better opportunity of making the third round than we had today.”