Valuable prize money is up for grabs if Tonbridge can negotiate their FA Cup tie at home to Herne Bay on Saturday.

Angels start as favourites to bank £3,000 and move into the second qualifying round but manager Steve McKimm insists they won’t underestimate their Ryman League Division 1 South visitors.

He said: “The competition is massive for non-league clubs – not just our predicament, finance-wise, but all clubs. This round is £3,000 and if you can go a long way and play more games, that money really helps out throughout the season.

“Herne Bay and us will be fighting for everything. It’s the nature of the FA Cup that one non-league side gets to the first round every year and I hope it’s our turn this year.

“I’ll make sure I’ve done my homework on Herne Bay because we won’t be taking them lightly. It’s 11 men against 11 men and it’s about whoever applies themselves right on the day.”

Tonbridge should be confident going into the tie at Longmead, having picked up six league points in the last week.

They came from behind in both games, winning 2-1 at Leatherhead last Saturday and then beating Canvey 4-1 on Tuesday night. Those results mean Angels have won five and lost five of McKimm’s first 10 games in charge.