Jay Saunders is desperate to lead Tonbridge Angels on an FA Cup run to go with their flying start in the league.

Things could hardly be going better for Saunders’ unbeaten side in National League South.

They climbed to third place with last weekend’s goalless draw at Chippenham and have kept five clean sheets on the spin.

But attention turns to the FA Cup this Saturday (3pm) as Tonbridge take on Isthmian League Merstham at Longmead.

They’re out to improve a poor recent record which has seen them fail to win a game since their historic run to the first round in 2021.

Saunders has lost 4-0 to Binfield and 4-2 to Haringey Borough in his two seasons in charge.

He twice reached the second round as Maidstone manager and would love to take Tonbridge on a cup run.

“I don’t care what anyone says, you do need a bit of luck in the FA Cup, you need things to go your way,” said Saunders.

“First and foremost, we wanted a home draw against lower opposition and we’ve got that.

“But we won’t be taking it lightly because we’ve watched Merstham and they’ve got players that can hurt you.

“In a one-off game, you’ve got to be right, you’ve got to prepare right and hopefully we can get over the line.

“It’s never easy but a cup run is important and that’s what we’d like to do.

“There’s no doubt about it, everyone wants a cup run like Maidstone had last year.

“It can set a club up for a long time.

“I’ve got to say, the club have been brilliant since I’ve come in, they’ve never said you’ve got to do this or you’ve got to do that in the league or the FA Cup.

“But as a management team and a group of players we’ve got things we want to do.

“It’s a banana skin on Saturday, it’s a lot of pressure on the boys but we’re desperate to get through for the supporters, for the club and for the boys as well.”

It will come as no surprise that Saunders won’t be resting anyone.

He added: “I am fortunate we’ve got a good squad but we’ll be going as strong as possible.

“There’s no leaving people out and taking anything lightly.

“We want to be in the hat for the next round.

“Sometimes it’s just about getting through in the early rounds.

“It’s not always pretty but I’m happy we’re at home because I’ve been to Merstham many times and it’s a tough place to go.

“Everyone knows form goes out the window.

“It’s who produces on the day and, as the higher-league team, we’ve got to make sure that’s us.”

It’s 470 minutes since Tonbridge conceded a goal following their latest shut-out at Chippenham.

Goalkeeper Toby Steward, centre-halves Nazir Bakrin, Jamie Fielding, and Ronny Nelson, and wing-backs Crossley Lema and Liam Vincent, have been impenetrable.

“There was a supporter who was saying he’s been coming since 1960 and he couldn’t remember five clean sheets in a row before,” said Saunders.

“I don’t know if it’s a record but it’s probably the best I’ve done since I’ve been managing.

“At the end of the day, it always gives you a chance if you aren’t conceding.

“We weren’t at our best on Saturday but we still came away with something.

“Chippenham started really well - we could have been two down - and then we eased our way into it.

“As I said at half-time, if we’ve got to come here and dig deep and go away with a point, so be it.

“As a management team, we haven’t spoken about the table but I’m sure the boys have had a look.

“At the end of the day, it’s the best start the club have made since they’ve been in National League South.

“You want to make records and it’s a good start. It’s a happy camp when you’re doing well.”