Tommy Widdrington looked on enviously as Dover took on Premier League Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup last season.

Eastbourne Borough lost 1-0 to Dover in a fourth qualifying round replay after a well contested goalless draw at Priory Lane.

Dover went on to knock out League Two sides Morecambe and Cheltenham before facing Palace.

Boss Widdrington has yet to lead Borough past the fourth qualifying round since taking over in February 2012.

They have a good chance to reach that stage again when they host Combined Counties League side Hartley Wintney today.

Widdrington told The Argus: “We can’t dress it up, we will be favourites but they haven’t got to this level of the competition without being a good side.

“We have done our homework, we have had them watched and we will pay them the same respect as any visitors to Eastbourne Borough.

“We would like to be in the hat on Monday, preferably we would like to be in the hat on our own.

“We came very close last year. We were unlucky against Dover. That really does show you what can happen if you get beyond that round.”

An FA Cup run would also boost the coffers at Priory Lane.

But Widdrington said: “Everybody is aware of the financial gains that could be made. We have got to be professional enough to not worry about that.

"Being the football part of the club we just need to get on and win the next game, which is Hartley Wintney.

“If we can’t win the game, then we need to make sure we don’t lose it.”

Borough hope to have Kane Haysman back from a calf injury but Adam Watts is ruled out by a severe hamstring pull which will keep him out for a couple of months.

Widdrington said: “Adam has been having a great season. Not that injury but injuries in general have been a problem for him and unfortunately they have struck again.”