Sittingbourne joint-boss Matt Wyatt believes his team are relishing their role as underdogs in the FA Cup.

The Brickies were drawn away to Skrill South Staines in the third qualifying round after winning at Ryman League, Premier Division Thamesmead last Saturday.

It’s the furthest Sittingbourne have gone in the competition since 1997, when they lost 3-0 at Hereford in a replay but it will be a big ask to win against a team who have a 100% home record so far this season.

Wyatt said: "It’s a tough draw. They have played five and won five at home but we’re not going there just to make up the numbers. No-one expects us to win but we’ll give a good account of ourselves."

Sittingbourne’s progress in the cup continued with an impressive display at Thamesmead where they won £4,500 in prize money. The hosts finished with nine men and the visitors overcame a second-half red card for keeper Adam Molloy.

It’s that mental toughness and determination Wyatt believes is a vital ingredient in their development in the past month.

He said: "We’re becoming a team that is hard to beat. We’ve also got a threat about us where you know we can score.

"What we’ve tried to install is that we must be hard to beat. That comes from the team working hard and a belief in what we do.

"When you start believing after one victory, you get another win and it goes from there."

The Brickies will be expected to progress in the FA Trophy this Saturday with home advantage against a Whitstable side 16th in Ryman League, Division 1 South.

"It’s another good game, a local derby again, so hopefully it will be a good crowd," said Wyatt, who adds new signing Nassim Dukali to the squad.