‘Won’t be taking chances’ - Boss’ warning to Shrewsbury Town ahead of FA Cup test at Eastleigh

Salop travel to Eastleigh in the first round tomorrow, looking to return to winning ways and progress in a competition that has delivered some memorable occasions in recent years.

Cowan knows the threat all too well. The Town boss enjoyed FA Cup success with former club Brackley Town and is familiar with Eastleigh from his time in the National League. He has warned his side against taking anything for granted.

“The league status thing will obviously mean that we have to be favourites,” he told the Shropshire Star.

“But make no mistake, I know the National League well. It’s an extremely competitive league, and we won’t be taking any chances or easing off.

“We’ll need to be at our best to go there because it’s a really tough place to go. We’ll prepare as we always do. It’ll be a tough game and we want to come out on top.”

It is a round trip of more than 350 miles for Shrewsbury, who face an Eastleigh side sitting 17th in the National League with just one win in their last seven league games.

While Cowan acknowledged the break from league action presents an opportunity to rotate, he insisted his side would give their opponents full respect.

He added: “Some of our fans will be making that journey. And the FA Cup’s an important competition.

“I think there’s potential for that, but also the potential to go and win it. We don’t want to take them for granted. We certainly don’t want to expect that we’re going to go there and win.

“We’ve got to go and earn it and that takes a lot of action. So the right players and the best players will be on the pitch.”