St Albans City joint manager James Gray believes his side can shock Mansfield Town in the FA Cup first round this weekend and says the Saints can relax against their League Two opponents.

A big crowd is anticipated at Clarence Park on Saturday as St Albans bid to make the second stage of the competition.

Mansfield are currently 14th in League Two and have taken 21 points from their 15 games. However, the Stags have not won in their last six league matches and were beaten 3-0 by Southend United last time out.

Gray says the pressure will be on the visitors and believes that will enable the Saints to play with freedom.

He said: “They are a Football League side who are expected to come and win the game, all the pressure is on them.

“So we can relax a little and play our football. It is not going to be easy, there is no doubt about that, but if we play well then you never know what will happen on the day. There is always that chance of causing an upset.”

He continued: “It will be a game where we do not have to motivate the players because they will be motivated by the occasion.

“We’re expecting a crowd of around 2,000 and that will be very important for us.

“There will be a few Mansfield fans coming down but if the supporters are behind us and singing then that will only help us.”

With such a big crowd expected Gray was asked whether his players may be overawed.

The joint manager replied: “I don’t think that will be an issue. A lot of our players have played in big matches before so I don’t think they will be fazed by the crowd.”

If the Saints are able to pull off a cup shock they will be awarded £18,000 in prize money.

Gray admits a victory would “set the club up for the rest of the season” and added: “If we could cause an upset then it would be massive for the club.

“For Graham (Golds) and myself it is our first season in charge and to be in the first round of the FA Cup is massive for us and the club. “Some managers can be in charge for years and not reach this stage, so for us it is a big achievement and we will make sure the players give it a good go.”

The Saints will have three days to prepare for the game after they were forced into an FA Trophy replay against Billericay Town.

The first match between the two sides on Saturday ended 3-3 after the visitors grabbed a late equaliser at Clarence Park.

Glenn Poole converted a penalty to put Billericay ahead but the score was levelled when Mark Nwokeji flicked home a cross.

Junior Luke then netted a header for Billericay but from that point the Saints took control.

Nwokeji grabbed his second of the game after he fired through the legs of goalkeeper Billy Lumley and the home side went ahead when prolific striker John Frendo unleashed a sumptuous left-footed volley from 18 yards into the net.

However, Billericay scored an equaliser with just one minute remaining. Substitute James Robinson charged down the wing and delivered a low ball across the edge of the penalty area. The pass fell to Poole and he drilled a left-footed shot past Bastock.

The two sides meet again tonight with a second round tie against Chelmsford City awaiting either side.

The Harpenden Construction Limited October 2013 Player of the Month is James Comley. His award was presented, prior to the game against Billericay Town, by John Worby on behalf of the sponsor Climatic Ten.