Jonathan Hedge glad of a part in Bucks' run

The Bucks have never made the second round in their 10-year existence and victory tomorrow would write a new chapter in their history.

It is an opportunity that has certainly got Hedge, who is set to replace the cup-tied Freddy Hall tomorrow, motivated and he said: "It is a big incentive.

"It is a very tough game, but it's one that we feel we can win and progress in the FA Cup which is what we want to do."

The Bucks will have plenty of other incentives to motivate them tomorrow, not least the support of hundreds of Telford fans who will follow them south to the Soccer AM Stadium.

Telford have offered subsidised travel to supporters and the response has been superb with more than 200 set to roar their side on.

And Hedge said such a following can only help inspire the players.

He said: "Wherever you play, whether it is home or away, to see people that have travelled and spent their hard-earned money to follow the team and offer their support is great.

"If we see over 200 Telford fans at Basingstoke that would be fantastic and hopefully we can repay their support by getting the club into the second round."

The Bucks are the higher-ranked side in the tie, sitting bottom of the Conference Premier against a side currently top of the Conference South.

But Hedge insists the team will be taking nothing for granted after they came perilously close to an embarrassing early exit to a Spennymoor side plying its trade three divisions below Telford in the last round.

Only a 90th-minute Adam Farrell goal and Mike Grogan's stoppage-time volley rescued a 2-2 draw before the Bucks turned in an improved display in the replay to win 3-0.

And Hedge said: "I have not been down to Basingstoke before, but I have seen what they are doing at the minute.

"We know they have got a good squad and we will give them the respect they deserve.

"We wont be taking anything for granted. As we found out at Spennymoor you have got to apply yourselves correctly and that is what we will be doing.

"But we are going there to win. If you look at the draw it is not the most glamorous of ties, but it is a tie that we feel is winnable."

Should Telford successfully navigate their latest hurdle, the prospect of a genuine glamour tie would move a significant step closer.

And while Hedge is not looking past Basingstoke, the prospect of a game against Football League opposition in round two, or even a Premier League giant in round three, will add extra motivation.

He said: "If we get through this game then we are potentially one game away from going to places like Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge.

"Those are the games that you really want to play in and really put Telford on the map so tomorrow there will be a real desire for us to progress."