Herne Bay will be one game away from the FA Cup first round proper if they can upset Kent rivals Margate at Hartsdown Park on Saturday.

Bay are already on their best run in the competition for 15 years and now they’re looking to reach the fourth qualifying round for the first time since 1986.

It’s a tough assignment against a Margate side tipped to do well in Bostik Premier this season but Herne Bay joint-manager John Embery believes they can cause an upset.

He said: “We’re the underdogs but we’re confident. If you don’t believe, it’s pointless – you’ve lost before you’ve started.

“Some of these boys think they can play at a higher level so if they can, they’ve got to go and play against teams in higher levels and show they do it on a bigger stage.

“If you work hard and you’re prepared to put the effort in and show real desire, you’ve always got a chance. We’ve got to go out and compete hard. If we don’t, we’ll get beat, simple as that.”

Herne Bay have already knocked out Chessington & Hook, Walton Casuals and Horsham to reach this stage, banking £9,425 in prize money.

Embery said: “We go there with no fear, wanting to win the game and if we give 110%, you can’t ask for any more from the boys.

“I suppose there will be a decent crowd and that’ll make for more of an atmosphere.

“For some of our young lads, that will be a test on its own to be playing in front of a big crowd, the occasion and the importance of the game.

"All these things are going to count. They’ve just got to go out there and show they’re more than capable.”