Steve King hailed a “proper away performance” as Dartford took care of Maidstone in the FA Cup.

King saw his side win 3-0 at the Gallagher Stadium in the third qualifying round and knew they should have had a fourth, with Ade Azeez’s late goal from Dan Roberts’ cross incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Not that it mattered too much, as Noor Husin, Danny Leonard and one that did count from Azeez were more than enough to underline a fine display from the National South leaders away to their closest league rivals.

“It was what I call a proper away performance,” said boss King, following his side’s victory in horrible conditions.

“We gave little away, threw our bodies on the line when we needed to defend and took our chances.

“I felt we could have had another one, it’s been chalked out for offside, I think it was onside.

“When the ball left Dan’s foot, Ade was onside and when he arrived I think that’s when the linesman flagged. I think it was a proper goal.”

The 500 Dartford fans in a crowd of 2,136 enjoyed their day while Maidstone supporters conceded the better side won.

King added: “I think everyone said it, even fans of Maidstone are saying, ‘fantastic, you deserved to win the game’.

“It’s one of those performances, look at the conditions, they were horrendous.

“Footballers don’t mind playing in the rain but the wind spoils the game, but we were solid, scored at right moments and thoroughly deserved to get through. You can go through the whole team.”

King reiterated his belief the outcome of the FA Cup tie would have no psychological bearing on the promotion race.

His former striker, Jack Barham, who made his Maidstone debut as a second-half substitute, felt the winners would be laying down a marker, but King disagreed.

“It’s a one-off game, it’s a cup competition, we could come here in the league and lose,” said King.

“They’re second in the league for a reason, they haven’t lost all season, so they’re there on merit.

“We’re not unbeatable. It’s on the day.

“I said we could lose today but it doesn’t affect the league, the same as we could win, it still doesn’t affect the league.”

While Barham moved to the Gallagher over the summer, George Porter went in the opposite direction.

King handed the former Maidstone forward a start - and he didn’t disappoint.

“We played George because we wanted to play him against his old side,” said King.

“I always do that, I always play players against their old side, no matter who.

“When we played Slough, I played Dan Roberts, I pretty much do that.

“I just feel you want to do well against your old clubs.

“I’ve always done it, no matter where I’ve been.

“If we play Billericay, Jake Robinson will play, it’s what I’ve always done and I think you might get that extra 5-10 per cent out of them.

“Porter worked his socks off, that’s what he does, he gives you a base.”

The draw for the final qualifying round takes place on Monday afternoon. See details on KentOnline.

• Report: Maidstone 0-3 Dartford

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent