Tommy Warrilow is refusing to treat Faversham’s FA Cup trip as a free hit.

Town visit Isthmian South East Littlehampton in the preliminary round of the competition on Sunday.

There’s been plenty of talk around ambitious Southern Counties East Premier Division Faversham’s long-term plans in recent years and they rarely go into any game without being heavy favourites.

While they will be the lower-division side in West Sussex, their squad does possess plenty of Isthmian League, National League and even Football League experience.

Town manager Warrilow said: “I’m not saying we’re not going there as the underdogs -
obviously, we are - but I’m not letting my players dine out on, if we do go out of the FA Cup, they can say ‘Oh, we did play against a team from a league above.’ I’m not having that!

“We go there with players that have played in the level above and the level above that so I’m not going to hide behind the fact we’re from a lower league and treat it as a free hit.

“I want us to implement what we can do.

“We’ll be going there and fully respecting Littlehampton. But I don’t want us dining out on being the underdogs.

“Just go and enjoy yourself. I want the players to enjoy every game of football.

“But at the same time, you need to have the belief you can win every game.”

The Lilywhites drew 2-2 at home against Kennington on Tuesday as dual-registered Folkestone forward Fin Dent struck twice in the second half after goals by striker Johan Caney-Bryan and playmaker Nathan Wood had put Town in control.

Warrilow, whose team were also pegged back late on in a 1-1 weekend draw at Holmesdale, said: “The last two games, we have let in an 86th-minute equaliser and then one in injury time.

“But it’s just one of those things where you have got to be held accountable. I will be as the manager.

“No disrespect to Kennington because they have really had a go at us in the last 20 minutes and, like on Saturday, they have cashed in at the end. Fair play to them.

“But from our point of view, it’s another game where we should really be out of sight by half-time.

“In the second half, we started really well, came out the blocks, we were doing what we were supposed to be doing and got a great second goal.

“But, as soon as we got that second goal, we got a little bit lethargic and a little bit sloppy. You cannot afford to do that.

“We have come unstuck because of it and dropped two points but it’s our own fault.

“In football, when you set up to do things, you have got to carry on doing the same things when it’s working.”

It had been a similar story for the Lilywhites at Holmesdale, where midfielder Sam Hasler’s second-minute penalty looked set to give them the victory until the hosts’ late leveller.

“I’m just asking them to demand a lot more from each other,” admitted Warrilow.

“I’m not talking about shouting stupid stuff or anything. But as a defender, your priority is, obviously, to defend - that’s not rocket science.

“But equally, we cannot keep creating these chances and not be taking enough of them. They were putting bodies on the line on Tuesday, their keeper has made some good saves, and we have missed the target with some shots.

“But it’s early days. In football, you’re going to get highs and lows.

“Tuesday feels like a low but we haven’t lost. We just have to carry on.

“I know I’ve got a good set of players here. It’s just annoying because they’re an experienced set of players. They should all know better.

“Our game management has got to be a lot better than what it has been in the last two games.

“We have got to see games out and, obviously, we haven’t done that. I’m not throwing them under the bus by any means because I say it how it is with everyone.

“The game should have been seen out better - that’s all - but why wasn't it? I don’t get it because we have got a very experienced side there. We just have to stick together.

“Of course, I might have a go at them at times but football is one of those things that you cannot take too personally. If you do, you have no chance of getting on.

“We all like a pat on the back, of course we do but, when things go wrong, you need to take that, as well.

“I’m in that because my name is above the door. Could I have done things differently? Of course, I could have.

“But I believe in my team and I do believe we can win every single game.

“I’ll learn from that, as well as the players, and perhaps I’ll do something differently next time.”

The winners of Town’s tie against Littlehampton will pocket £1,444.