Cup veteran Paul Thomsett believes Lewes can go all the way in the FA Vase this season though it may be at the expense of his former club Burgess Hill.

FA Cup heroes Lewes, County League leaders Burgess Hill and Selsey are the sole Sussex survivors left fighting for a place in the final 32 and the veteran sweeper is vowing his team-mates are ready for the task ahead.

Thomsett, who was the Ryman League side's man of the match in their 2-0 FA Cup first round proper defeat against Stoke last month, said: "I think the players have realised they have a chance of doing well in the FA Vase this season after the success of our FA Cup run and they are really going to go for it.

"If we can keep a settled side, and keep getting home draws, then we have a chance of going all the way."

It may be a bold prediction but Thomsett, who turned 38 on Wednesday, knows all about the trials and tribulations of cup football, having experienced highs and lows with Peacehaven and Burgess Hill in a distinguished non-league career.

Sweeper Thomsett reached the quarter-finals of the Vase with Peacehaven in the early Nineties. He was also part of the Burgess Hill side that reached the last 16 in 1998.

Now Thomsett is hoping Lewes can overcome Western League Hallen at the Dripping Pan, and Gary Croydon can steer Burgess Hill past Selsey to set up his dream tie.

Thomsett said: "Burgess Hill are a good side, and they should beat Selsey "Hopefully we can get through and meet them a bit nearer the final. I was speaking to their manager recently and he reckons they can beat us, but I don't care where we play them, we will beat them."

If Lewes and the Hillians do progress, or even underdogs Selsey, it will give all Sussex football fans a welcome boost in a competition where the county has consistently underachieved.

No Sussex side has ever reached the final although Carl Stabler took Littlehampton as far as the semi-finals in the early Nineties.

Thomsett does not believe that is a reflection on the quality of Sussex football.

He said: "I don't think the Sussex sides have had the luck of the draw over the years.

"All you can hope for is a home draw in this competition as you never know who you are going to get, and most Sussex clubs seem to get so far and then get a really dodgy away draw."

Thomsett cannot see Selsey overcoming his former side tomorrow, but Hillians boss Croydon is predicting a rip-roaring Sussex derby against Danny Hinshelwood's outfit who have only lost once in the league this season.

Croydon said: "On their day Selsey are a fair side but we are a good side and we will be at full strength. There's no doubt about it we are the favourites and they are the underdogs but we all know what football can do in a one-off game."

A long-term injury means Hinshelwood misses the match, while he will also be without suspended striker Jason Reed and cup-tied Derek Chester. Neil Winter, a recent acquisition from Shoreham, will play.

Lewes have two major injury doubts ahead of the game after midfielders Paul Stokes and Justin Harris both suffered toe injuries in the midweek win over Cheshunt.

The Rooks are also without cup-tied Graham Mackay and Julian Curnow.

Bristol-based Hallen, who reached the last 32 of the Vase last season, knocked Chichester out in the last round. Their only player with League experience is former Walsall man Dave Sweeney.