Manager Nick Tucker is aware that if his Clevedon Town side can beat Newport County tomorrow it will be one of the biggest upsets of the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The Welsh side are unbeaten in Blue Square South this season, with manager Dean Holdsworth's team boasting an impressive seven wins and four draws from 11 games.

They can also call upon the meanest defence in the division, expertly marshalled by former Mangotsfield United and Team Bath defender Gary Warren.

Tucker's new-look Clevedon are struggling to find their feet and languishing in 19th place in the Southern League Premier Division.

"But this is the FA Cup!" stressed Tucker. "As I keep telling myself, all good things must come to an end and every team's bubble will burst at some point.

"Yes, they are the in-form side in the Blue Square South and on their current form they should be in the hat for the next round at 5pm on Saturday.

"But I also know that we are under-performing massively at the moment and if my players can up their game, play to their potential and maybe Newport have an off-day then we will have a chance of causing an upset."

Four straight league defeats is not the sort of preparation that Tucker needed for this game. While early-season injuries have badly affected his plans, Tucker knows that his slow-starters need to start improving quickly.

Based in Cardiff, Tucker would love to return home on Saturday night with a Newport scalp on his CV.

His chances will improve with the return of Danny Wring and Jamal Easter, while Sam Jones is also in the squad and Aaron Blakemore has shrugged off an ankle injury.

Mangotsfield United may start as favourites away to Toolstation Division One side Gillingham Town, but the Dorset club boast a perfect a record, with six wins out of six.

They have also rattled in 18 goals in four FA Cup matches, including a 6-5 extra-time win in a replay against Cornish side Saltash United.

The loss of skipper and central defender Scott Hendy, who broke one bone and chipped another in his wrist in Tuesday's GFA Cup win against Yate, is a big blow for Mangotsfield.

"He has been our talisman," said boss Phil Bater. Mike Trought is fit and both Geraint Bater and Mitchell Page are back in the squad.

Paulton Rovers are away to Didcot Town, who have scored 10 goals in two games after a difficult start in the Southern League Premier Division.

"They have picked up a bit recently, so it will be a tricky tie," said assistant manager Paul Milsom.

Goalkeeper Kyle Phillips has recovered from a shoulder injury, while Stu Tovey is also available.

Richard Thompson has laid down an immediate challenge to his new players following his return to management with Hellenic League side Almondsbury Town .

Former Yate Town boss Thompson, who was sacked by the Lodge Road club eight months ago, replaced Paul Weeks.

Since his Yate ousting, Thompson has enjoyed some part-time work with a national scouting network. But he admitted he could not resist the lure of a return to management.

He said: "Obviously I've taken on the job with my eyes fully open. Everyone knows Almondsbury may be forced to leave Oaklands Park at the end of the season (due to the GFA serving notice on their clubhouse lease).

"I was assured by the club they have back-up plans and I can only trust what they're telling me.

"In the meantime, I'm determined to return to Southern League management with a side well capable of getting there."

Thompson, who begins his reign with an FA Cup tie at home to AFC Totton, added: "I'm very impressed with the squad and, if the players maintain the standards they have set, they'll have nothing to fear about losing their places."

Gary Domone admitted his depleted Hallen squad face an arduous test at Bridgwater Town, the side he watched thrash Bracknell Town 5-0 in Southern League combat last weekend.

Domone has doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Steve Scannell, Jamie Coombes, Mark Reid, Tom Collett and David Anyinsah among many others.

"I'm just hopeful a few of our lads feel able to pick themselves up and give it a go," he said.