Maidstone deservedly bridged a two-division gap to reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in a quarter of a century on Saturday.

Stones dominated from first whistle to last against Vanarama Conference Welling, who never settled against a barrage of long throw-ins from the in-form Alex Flisher.

Without player-boss Jamie Day, defender Chris Bush and keeper Jamie Turner through suspension, Welling drafted in keeper Ben Buchel from Bournemouth to fill a defensive gap with on-loan stopper Jonathan Henly denied permission to play by parent club Reading.

But it was a baptism of fire for Buchel, who was given an early warning when Flisher fired wide inside the first two minutes after rookie defender Michael Chambers conceded possession cheaply.

Stones were ahead inside four minutes when Jack Parkinson, sent-off for Woking when he last played against his former club, headed in totally unmarked after Flisher crossed when a long throw-in was never cleared.

Maidstone striker Ben May should have added a second on 14 minutes but he shot over after Flisher's long throw was driven across goal by Jamie Coyle.

Three minutes later, Parkinson headed Flisher's corner over and another throw-in saw skipper Steve Watt head wide. Watt, who could have finished with a hat-trick, volleyed over and Welling nearly made Maidstone pay for their wasteful finishing with a rare attack.

Artiste Bassele set up Ben Jefford, whose cross fell to Kieron St.Aimie but keeper Lee Worgan blocked his close-range effort in the 37th minute.

The tie turned early in the second half when seconds after Worgan kept out St.Aimie's header, Stones broke through Matt Bodkin and Tom Mills, who had the presence of mind to square inside the penalty area and give Frannie Collin a simple tap-in to make it 2-0.

Welling captain Jake Gallagher bundled the ball home two minutes later to make it 2-1 but thereafter Welling failed to dominate.

Maidstone sat back but Welling lost Tyrone Marsh and Bassele to injuries and never managed to make the most of their openings.

If another goal was going to come, it seemed certain to fall for Jay Saunders' men. But Watt fired wide, Collin's free-kick was beaten away and May headed wide at the far post.

Parkinson saw a header cleared off the line late on and Maidstone successfully saw out four minutes of stoppages to book their place in Monday evening's FA Cup draw.