George Elokobi saw Maidstone overcome a double challenge in their FA Cup victory at Winchester.

United knew the threat posed by their lower-league hosts before yesterday’s Third Qualifying Round tie in Hampshire.

But Elokobi and his staff also made a point of highlighting a difficult pitch during the preparations for the match.

They needed to be careful on a bumpy, bobbly surface where even controlling the ball could be difficult.

It’s all part of the FA Cup experience and Maidstone advanced with Levi Amantchi’s second-half double in a 2-0 success.

They should have had a third, too, with pictures showing Sol Wanjau-Smith’s Panenka penalty had in fact crossed the line after coming back off the bar.

“It was tough, especially when we haven’t played on a pitch like that this season, so it was a big test for us,” said Stones manager Elokobi.

“Sometimes the quality was lacking because where we train we’re used to our surface and when you come here you’ve got to get used to it straight away.

“We told them that in our analysis meeting yesterday.

“We showed them the pitch and said it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“It looks green, however, it’s not an easy pitch.

“You want to be coming here now and not in the middle of winter, so it was tough but credit to the boys - they managed it well.

“When they tried to knock it, at times you could tell instead of doing it in one or two touches they had to take three touches, which gave the opposition a chance to close us down, but again it’s making the right decisions on the ball.”

The first goal was always going to be crucial and it quickly brought a second as Amantchi scored twice in five minutes after half-time. United rarely looked troubled after that.

“We had to show respect to the opposition,” said Elokobi.

“They might be a league below us but they’ve got good players, experienced players, their No.9 has played in the National League South before and they’ve got some good quality out wide.

Report: Winchester 0-2 Maidstone

“Their pattern was all about trying to get the ball and switch it, the long diagonal balls to try and get joy down the flanks.

“We analysed this and we worked on this throughout the week and it was good that we stopped the crosses when we could.

“We forced them into areas where they weren’t too comfortable crossing the ball and delivering balls into our box.

“When they did come in, we dealt with it pretty well in terms of the backline and goalkeeper.”

Elokobi was unhappy with Wanjau-Smith’s Panenka spot-kick with United 2-0 up.

Although it later emerged the ball had crossed the line after bouncing down off the bar, it wasn’t the time to take any chances.

“I’m disappointed,” said Elokobi, speaking just after the final whistle.

“I’ve told him - I’m as honest as they come - if you’re going to take penalties make sure you put it in the back of the net, or give it to someone else.

“We’ve had a conversation as a group and he knows my feelings towards it.

“He’s our designated penalty taker, so he had it, but unfortunately today it’s not gone for him.

“Off the top of my head, he missed against Bath as well, so we have to look at it and analyse it as a management team and decide how we go forward. That’s our job.”

The draw for the final qualifying round takes place on Monday lunchtime.