Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace has urged his side to go out and make history when they host Blue Square Bet South side Basingstoke Town in Saturday’s FA Cup third qualifying round.

It is unchartered territory for the Railwaymen who have never reached this round of the Cup before, but Peace is urging the players not to let the big day pass them by and to enjoy taking on a side who lie 15th in their league.

“I had them watched against Eastleigh, so we know all about them,” said Peace whose side enjoyed the boost of a 3-2 midweek win at Tiverton.

“Being a Conference South side they are going to be tough, so we will have to be at our very best to beat them and they will have to be below par.

“The financial rewards are huge, but Saturday is all about the players.

“It’s a massive game in terms of what we have to do, but equally it’s about enjoying it and seizing the day.

“My message to the players is: Go out and make history and don’t let it pass you by.”

Didcot will be at full strength with Alexis expected to recover from a dead leg he suffered against Tiverton.

Peace, whose side can double their cup earnings to £15,000 with victory against the Hampshire side, feels that the experience of Andy Gunn and Michael Alexis, who helped their old side Oxford City reach the first round proper last season, could prove vital.

“I think it’s important when you have players who have played in the latter rounds of the cup, but often you find that the younger players can go into the game without fear.”

Basingstoke, managed by former Leeds and Scottish international Frank Gray, boast former Oxford United keeper Chris Tardif who joined them after his release by the U’s in 2007 and New Zealand international Greg Draper who is their top-scorer with six goals.

But Peace said: “I think if you start worrying about who they have playing for them, then you would be here all day.

“The most important question is can we do our job right?

“We are massive underdogs and we will have to be at our best to get anything from the game.”

Didcot Tn (v Basingstoke, home): from Warrell, Bucknor, A Williams, Gunn, Stanley, M Williams, Dutton-Black, Alexis, Heapy, Draycott, Osborne-Ricketts, Bartley, Hopkins, Jones, Huggins, Witt, Wimble.