Image source, Getty Images

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened...

Maidstone's magical FA Cup adventure made memories which will live on long after their current crop of players have hung up their boots.

The energy and positivity of their bright young manager George Elokobi have been infectious and captured the imagination of, not just the local community, but the footballing world over the past couple of months.

It's back to the bread and butter for them, the only side in the last-16 never to have finished in the top half of the top flight are aiming to get back to the fifth tier by May.

Coventry too have their sights on promotion, but the prospect of their first FA Cup quarter-final in 15 years, and just the third since they lifted the grand old trophy in 1987, will be something to look forward to.

But who will join them? Seven more ties are coming your way across the next two nights and you can live every moment of them with us right here.

So until tomorrow, thanks for your company tonight and enjoy the rest of your evening.

A reminder that tonight is just the start of the FA Cup fifth-round action this week.

Here's what else is coming up over the next two evenings, with 14 more sides hoping to join Coventry in the quarter-finals.

Tuesday

Bournemouth v Leicester

Blackburn v Newcastle

Luton v Manchester City

Wednesday

Chelsea v Leeds

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United

Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion

Liverpool v Southampton

Matt Cole
BBC Radio Kent

The Maidstone fans are bouncing and singing.

George Elokobi is more or less doing a lap of honour.

He has lead this team absolutely brilliantly through the rounds.

Those fans will recount the time they beat Ipswich and how they held their own against Championship Coventry for long periods of the second half.

Supporters around the world have been following this story.

Maidstone manager George Elokobi told ITV4: "I am immensely proud. Big congratulations to Coventry. They deserve it. How can I not be proud of our community and our players - they gave it their all today. Massive congratulations to them.

"The magic of the FA Cup is still alive. When we began this FA Cup journey we knew we weren't going to win it. It was about showcasing our talent and skills. We have done that.

"I wouldn't say (the run is) life changing but it's given us life moments to remember together. Everyone connected to the club and back in Cameroon are proud of us.

"We gave it our all."

Image source, Reuters

When Maidstone travelled to West Sussex to face Steyning Town Community FC in the second qualifying round in September, they did so in their hundreds.

Tonight nearly 5,000 fans travelled to the midlands to support the amber and black army.

Eight games in the FA Cup. A record which few clubs will ever match.

A cup run for the ages is at a close...

Coventry's hat-trick hero Ellis Simms told ITV4: "It's amazing to get this far - we want to keep going and see how far we can get.

"We prepared well for the game. We had a disappointing result the other night and had to put it right tonight. We prepared as if it were a league game. We were ruthless tonight.

"I am delighted on a personal note - my first senior hat-trick. Hopefully I can get more.

"We'll see who we get in the draw. We are not underestimating anyone. There are a lot of big teams left in the competition."

Clive Eakin
BBC CWR Sport

Sky Blues' players are back in the changing room whilst the Maidstone players lap up the love of their fans.

Coventry's attention will now turn to Friday - what a big game that is (West Brom away).

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Image source, Reuters

The fans can go home with their heads' held high.

George (Elokobi) is clapping the Coventry fans - he loves it, thanking them for their support first, then he will get to his own fans.

He is going to be a great manager you know.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Fabio Tavares from close range.

(Lucas) Covolan made the save then looked up helplessly.

You have to credit Coventry - they came here and have done a professional job on their lower league opposition.

Maidstone have lost an FA Cup game for the first time since a 1-0 defeat at Needham Market on 15 October, 2022.

Coventry are into their first quarter-final in 15 years thanks to an Ellis Simms hat-trick in the space of 26 minutes in the first half and two Fabio Tavares goals in four minutes in the final knockings.

Mark Robins' men produced a thoroughly professional display from the first whistle to ensure there were no upsets to be had - the 95 places between the sides was apparent in the opening half-hour in particular.

Maidstone have done themselves proud over the last five-and-a-half months, they have proven to be a good advert for Kent and non-league football, the memories will last a lifetime and the money they have earned should brighten the club's future.

For them it's a trip down to Dover on Saturday to begin the challenge of getting back into the National League South play-off places.

For the Sky Blues, they might be 90 minutes away from a return to Wembley, the scene of their finest hour in 1987, and also the crushing play-off final defeat last spring.

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Sports

It is a great little touch around the corner.

It is a good finish - he just dinks it over the keeper, brilliant finish.

Maidstone do not deserve that as they have been better this second half.

Three added minutes at the end. The fairytale has run its course...

'This is your Wembley' chant the Coventry fans to the 5,000-odd Stones fans. Bit mean.

Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong is the latest to be withdrawn by the visitors with Perri Iandolo given the final minutes to experience the occasion.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Still giving it absolutely everything are the home side.

Maidstone at the moment are chasing shadows in this game.

Maidstone fans of course will remember all the games in this cup run, but particularly won't forget that Stevenage win and of course the cracking goals they scored in that win at Ipswich.

Wrexham won in the FA Cup at Coventry last season. They were in the National League, along with Maidstone, back then.

No side in the top two divisions has ever been knocked out by non-league sides in consecutive seasons... and that record will remain for at least another year thanks to this thoroughly professional performance by the Sky Blues.

What a moment for youngster Riley Court who comes on for Maidstone, replacing Manny Duku who can count this as a solid night's work at both ends, even though he didn't get a chance to score a memorable goal.

Image source, Reuters

Callum O'Hare exchanges passes with Matt Godden on the left and then jinks into the area but can only drag his eventual shot across the face of goal.

City fans don't seem to mind and sing his name. Just nice to have him back and fit after 10 months out, I suppose.

Jake Bidwell is the latest to get the hook for City, Jay Dasilva is the man to replace him. Plenty of time to make an impact.