Burgess Hill boss Danny Bloor says his side are a good bet to progress against St Leonards in the Sussex Senior Cup third round tie at Leylands Park tonight (7.15pm).

The Hillians boss, who works in racing advisory syndicates, thinks his Sussex County League division one leaders are odds on to beat the struggling Dr Martens eastern division side.

Saints go into the game on the back of a humiliating 8-1 drubbing at Ashford Town on Saturday, their ninth consecutive defeat which has left them second from bottom.

Bloor said: "I'm a gambling man and if I was to put my money on it, I think we would be well worth a bet.

"I really fancy my chances even though they are in a higher division because we are top of the league and they have not been having the best of times.

"When the draw was first made, I thought we were going to be the underdogs, but now I think we probably go into the game as favourites, so I am really looking forward to it.

"The game will be a great guide for us because we want to be where St Leonards are next season and we think we are good enough to get there.

"For probably the first time this season I have got a full squad to choose from so I am getting very excited about it."

St Leonards welcome back defender Dave Scott from holiday.

Second division leaders Eastbourne Town get a chance to prove their first division credentials with a Senior Cup tie at Whitehawk.

Manager Dave Winterton said: "The winners are away to Eastbourne Borough or Wick, so it is a big incentive for us to go through.

"It is a good chance to test ourselves against a side who are doing well in division one and gives us an idea of what we will be up against next year providing we go up.

"We are relatively confident we can get a result out of it."

Whitehawk have injury doubts over goalkeeper Matt Ades (wrist), Kevin Townsend (dead leg) and Carl Southwell (groin).

Manager Ian Chapman said: "Eastbourne are a good side and we need to be firing on all cylinders to get a result out of it."

Hastings United manager George Wakeling is looking to pull away from the Dr Martens premier division relegation zone against Grantham Town at the Pilot Field.

United, who are two points off the four relegation places, go into the game without suspended Duncan McArthur and Stuart Myall, who needs an operation on a knee injury.

Wakeling said: "We are desperate to get a win under our belts and I think we are good enough to do it. I am not over the moon about our league position and it is vital we get a result to get away from that danger area."

Eastbourne Borough are firmly focused on tonight's eastern division encounter with Dartford before they take on potential FA Cup giantkillers Farnborough on Saturday in the FA Trophy.

Coach Nick Greenwood said: "It is an important game for us on Saturday but Dartford is just as important to us tonight as it is a game we would hope to win.

"It is important for our promotion aspirations and we shall focus on this game and then concentrate on Farnborough later in the week."