Shrewsbury Town have been urged to have no fear as they aim to rekindle their FA Cup glory days at Southampton tomorrow.

Town have a miserable recent record in the famous knockout competition, losing in the first round in each of the last four years including humiliating defeats to Blyth Spartans and Staines.

They have also failed to beat a Football League team in FA Cup football since famously dumping Everton out on third round day in January 2003.

But all that could change tomorrow when Shrewsbury make their first ever trip to St Mary’s to take on a Southampton side who have recently burst into the League One play-off positions.

And boss Graham Turner, who twice famously guided Town to a quarter-final in his first stint in charge some three decades ago, has urged his players to rise to the big occasion tomorrow.

“It’s a great competition but you have to get through these early rounds to get the really big ones,” said Turner.

“The draw has given us a particularly tough tie to go Southampton and get a victory.

“But on the back of our performance and result at Crewe, we go there with confidence high.

“We have got to have no fear. We want to progress and go and play with the freedom that will get us the right result.”

Town travel with the knowledge that they have already beaten two League One teams this season, knocking Charlton out of the Carling Cup after a thrilling 4-3 home triumph before securing a 1-0 victory at Oldham in the Johnstone Paint Trophy.

“We have watched them and had reports and they are beatable,” added Turner. “They have some good players and are one of the biggest clubs in League One.”

“We know it will be a difficult task but as manager and chairman of Hereford we drew Leeds (in the first round in 2007) and they didn’t come any more difficult than that.”

Lionel Ainsworth is set to rejoin the Shrewsbury squad tomorrow after missing the last two weeks with a groin problem. But captain Ian Sharps and full back David Raven are unlikely to be considered because of their injury problems.

By JAMES GARRISON