Bognor will bid to exorcise 20 years of FA Cup disappointment today.

The Rocks travel to Wealdstone aiming to book their place in the first round proper for the first time since 1995.

That season they went on to play Peterborough in the second round but there has been little joy since for a club which historically boasts such an impressive record in the competition.

Legendary former manager Jack Pearce – now general manager at Nyewood Lane – led Bognor to the first round five seasons in a row in the 1980s, making it through to the second round three times.

The current vintage have a long way to go to match Pearce’s boys but victories over Oxford City and Lowestoft – both from a division above the Rocks – have put them on the verge of adding their own chapter in Bognor’s FA Cup story.

Boss Jamie Howellsaid: “It would mean a great deal to everyone at the club to get through. I know it would mean an awful lot to me as my record in the competition as both a player and manager at Bognor is atrocious.

“The club has a very good pedigree in the FA Cup and after a bit of a barren run hopefully the tide is turning a bit.

“We used to be synonymous with the competition so it would be nice to create our own bit of history.

“Getting this far has created a real buzz around the town. It would be fantastic to get through and draw a big team but we can’t afford to get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Bognor have already picked up £15,000 in prize money having seen off Merstham (2-1), Lowestoft (2-1) and Oxford City (4-2) with a further £12,500 up for grabs today.

Wealdstone will be no pushovers though and will go into the game on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run, including five successive wins.

Howell added: “Wealdstone will start as favourites but we have shown we can beat teams from a higher division already this season.

“It is going to be a difficult game as they are a good team. We know quite a bit about them as they were only promoted a few years ago. They will be hard working, well organised and have quality in a couple of key areas.

“We are under no illusions about the task we are facing but my biggest hope is that we perform how I know we can on the day. I don’t want to come away with any regrets.

“If we give it our best shot and get a bit of luck when we need it then who knows?”

Stuart Green remains sidelined by a back injury but Harvey Whyte is in contention to return from a thigh strain.