In-form Maidstone face the challenge of following up their FA Cup success.

Still on a high after the win over Cheltenham, fifth-placed United return to National League action at Torquay on Saturday.

The struggling Gulls are second-bottom but are showing signs of improvement under new boss Gary Owers, the former Sunderland midfielder.

Stones manager Jay Saunders said: “It’s a really difficult one. After the result against Cheltenham it’s always tough the following game and Torquay have got a new manager, Gary’s gone in there and he’s brought new players in and they had a good result at Ebbsfleet.

“They’re on the up a little bit but I think we’ve had one defeat in 12 games so we’re on a good run ourselves and we can go there off the back of six wins in a row away from home and hopefully keep the run going.”

Delano Sam-Yorke starts a three-game ban following his red card at Cheltenham as Stones look for a third league win in a row.

They’re looking good and Saunders says they are fifth on merit after building on last season’s survival.

He said: “The first year was all about staying up and we went on a great run to keep us in the league.

“After that, you want to build.

“I’m ambitious as a manager, the club’s ambitious and we wanted to move on.

“Going three mornings training was a big part of that.

“We knew it would be a big transitional year and we’ve probably taken to it a little bit better than I expected but we’re there on merit.

“The league doesn’t lie when you get to this stage - you’re there for a reason - and we’re doing well.”