Coventry v Maidstone LIVE: FA Cup result and final score as non-league side thrashed in fifth round

Coventry 5-0 Maidstone: There would be no repeat upset from the sixth-tier underdogs as the Championship side progressed to the quarter-finals, with Ellis Simms scoring a hat-trick

Pep Guardiola looks ahead to the FA Cup fifth round

Ellis Simms ended Maidstone’s FA Cup fairytale as his first-half hat-trick helped fire Coventry City into the quarter-finals. The striker’s treble and Fabio Tavares’ late double sent the Sky Blues into the last eight for the first time since 2009 after a 5-0 win.

It was a disappointing climax to the Stones’ historic Cup run, which had seen them win seven ties - including knocking out Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich - to become the first team outside the top five divisions to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.

George Elokobi’s National League South side became heroes following their fourth-round win at Portman Road but there was never any danger of a repeat at Coventry. The Sky Blues were determined to avoid suffering the same fate as their Championship rivals, with Mark Robins’ men rampant, and Maidstone outclassed and outgunned.

Follow live updates on tonight’s FA Cup action below and get the latest FA Cup odds and tips here.

Coventry v Maidstone United LIVE: FA Cup latest score and updates

• FULL TIME! Coventry 5-0 Maidstone United
• Maidstone’s fairytale FA Cup run over as Coventry reach quarter-finals
• 89’ GOAL! Tavares makes it four late on as Coventry cruise through (4-0)
• 35’ GOAL! Simms completes hat-trick with rebound from Palmer strike (3-0)
• 14’ GOAL! Palmer and Simms link-up again as Coventry double lead (2-0)
• 9’ GOAL! Maidstone punished by Coventry as Simms buries finish (1-0)

[26 February 2024 18:00 · Jamie Braidwood]

Good evening

Hello and welcome to live updates from the fifth round of the FA Cup, as Coventry host Maidstone United tonight.

George Elokobi’s side are a game away from the quarter-finals after stunning Ipswich, and again face Championship opposition. Maidstone are eighth in the National League south, the sixth tier of English football, and are aiming to become just the second non-league side to reach the quarter-finals in the last 100 years, after Lincoln City in 2017.

Coventry, who were knocked out by non-league opposition in Wrexham last season, beat Sheffield Wednesday in a fourth-round replay and will fancy their chances of continuing their own promising cup run at home. The Sky Blues currently sit ninth in the second tier and will be out to spoil the party as Maidstone look to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Follow live updates on tonight’s FA Cup action below and get the latest FA Cup odds and tips here.