Ramsgate are treating themselves to an overnight stay before taking on Brackley Town in the FA Cup.

Rams face a difficult task after drawing National League North opposition in the third qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

The Isthmian South East side are underdogs as they bid to bridge a two-division gap against a club who have twice knocked out Gillingham in recent years.

But they intend to give themselves the best possible chance by travelling up to Northamptonshire on Friday night and making the most of the weekend.

“We’re staying at a hotel and spa, so there’ll be a bit of team-bonding on Friday night and then we’ll be ready to go on Saturday,” said Rams boss Ben Smith, whose side reached the second round proper last season.

“We always travelled on the day last year - we probably didn’t have anywhere far enough to warrant a hotel.

“But we haven’t had a pre-season as a group, so it’s nice to be able to do this and add the team-bonding within that.

“We’re looking forward to it, we’re excited.

“We’re working out who’s rooming with who and we’re planning some activities on the Friday night.

“It should be a good trip but we’ve got a tough game ahead of us, so it’s not a jolly-up.

“Brackley are a good club, with a good history.

“We had some away games last year, Chatham and Totton, but this year it’s a tougher game, that’s for sure.”

Joe Taylor had two penalties saved as Ramsgate lost 1-0 to Thanet rivals Margate in the Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday night.

Blues keeper Tom Wray denied Taylor two minutes into the second half in front of a crowd of 1,800 at Southwood.

The visitors were then awarded an 89th-minute spot-kick, converted by Ibrahim Olutade.

Rams had a chance to take the tie to a shoot-out after being awarded another penalty in the 90th minute but Wray once again saved from top scorer Taylor.