Ashley Carr believes Burgess Hill have never had a better opportunity to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

Neither Burgess Hill nor Lewes have reached the last eight in the competition's 26-year history.

Both will be bidding for glory today with Hillians entertaining Cornish side Portleven at Leylands Park while Lewes welcoming Tow Law Town to the Dripping Pan.

Striker Carr was a member of the Hillians side which reached the last 16 under Alan Pook three years ago, only to lose 1-0 at Sudbury, and he is aiming to go one better today.

Carr, 32, said: "There is very little to chose between the Hill side today and the one under Alan Pook. We have to fancy our chances now because we are at home.

"It is certainly a great chance for myself and some of the older player like Sean Edwards and Daren Newman. We have told the younger players on several occasions that they may have other chances to do well in the Vase but we probably won't."

Carr has 21 goals this season, and he scored in the fourth round penalty shoot-out at Dorking.

Assistant-manager Danny Bloor said: "I am going to rely on Phil Churchill and Ashley Carr to get the goals, I'll just be pleased if we get through. It is down to the players, if we play as well as we can then I am sure we have a good chance."

Player-coach Edwards is battling to be fit after sustaining knee ligament damage in the Hillians' 1-0 defeat to Eastbourne Borough last week in the Sussex Senior Cup but striker Steve Harper has recovered from concussion and midfielder Richard Carter has shaken off a nagging calf injury.

Away-day specialists Porthleven, from near Falmouth, have won away in four of their five matches thus far and travel to Leylands Park in buoyant mood.

Both matches could be subject to morning pitch checks, depending on how the weather has been overnight.

There was an inspection at Lewes yesterday prior to Tow Law setting off from the North East and the ground was passed playable.

Lewes manager Jimmy Quinn will be forced to dip into his reserve team to supplement his decimated squad.

Ten players are missing through being injured, cup-tied, ill or unavailable and there could be a home debut for recent signing Artur Correia, a former Wimbledon youth team player.

Quinn is having to rely on second hand information on the Albany Northern League side. Russell Mason, who is now helping out Quinn at Lewes, was due to travel to Tow Law last Saturday but their match was postponed.