Assistant manager Micky Stephens says Sutton United must repeat Saturday’s performance if they are to progress in the FA Cup.
United have been rewarded for their 2-0 win at National League South rivals Bishop’s Stortford with another tough away day.
They face Hemel Hempstead, currently seventh in the table, in the third qualifying round on October 10.
The two sides also meet this weekend at Gander Green Lane in league action.
Stephens said: “Saturday was probably our best performance of the season by some way.
“We were very solid and it never looked in doubt after an early scare when they hit the post.
“From then on we were very strong and looked like scoring on many occasions. It was a really good away performance at a place where it is difficult to get anything.
“We need to use that performance as a yard-stick and do the same at Hemel, and if we can play anywhere as well as we did on Saturday, then we cannot ask for much more.”
Double your money: Kevin Amankwaah (out of picture) beats former United keeper Tom Lovelock to set up a third qualifying round tie at Hemel Hempstead
He added: “Hemel would have been looking for a home tie against lower league opposition – they’ve got the home tie, so they will be slightly more pleased than us.
“But it is what it is – it’s not a great draw visually, and we’ll certainly have a good look at each other this weekend.”
The weekend win was notable for the strength on the United bench, with Dan Fitchett, Craig Dundas, Ross Stearn, Louis John and Dan Wishart all starting the match in the dugout.
And with Dean Beckwith expected to return from injury in the next couple of weeks, the future is looking bright.
Stephens said: “We’re close to having a full squad, we’re playing more than OK, and we’ve got real competition for places.
“I looked at our bench on Saturday and it was strong. It’s great because when people get in and the team is on a bit of a roll, it gives the players more of an edge to stay in the team.
“The difficulty is keeping them all keen and fresh, but when you see the team on the pitch and the players on the bench, it doesn’t need much more than the manager’s team-talk – they know they have to do well to stay in the side.”
All the action courtesy of SUFCTV
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