Steve Lovell is no stranger to Maidstone derby matches and the Gills coach was delighted to help create another.

The two teams will meet in the quarter-final of the Kent Senior Cup, following Gillingham’s penalty shoot-out victory over Phoenix Sports.

Gills coach Lovell was in his heyday when the teams used to meet in the league during the early 1990s. He said: “I played in a few of them and the first I remember was on Boxing Day at Priestfield. I missed a penalty in that one, Mark Beeney saved it and we lost 2-1.

“But it was a good occasion and they always are. Maidstone against Gillingham is a local rivalry, both sets of supporters want to win the game and so do both sets of players. It is something everyone will look forward to.

“I don’t think it matters what the competition is, whoever you play, you want to go out there and put on a performance. We got a lot out of the game against Pheonix and I am sure we will get a lot out of the Maidstone game.

“It will most probably be the same kind of people playing in that game. It will be a decent crowd there and it should be a good experience for our youngsters.”

The match will take place at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday, October 31.