St Albans City joint manager James Gray insists his side are determined to avenge their opening day defeat to Hayes & Yeading United when they face them again in the FA Cup this weekend.

The Saints produced a disappointing performance in their first Conference South match of the campaign last month when they lost 1-0 at home to United but have the chance to make amends on Sunday when they travel to them in the second qualifying round of the competition.

Gray said: “We definitely didn’t do ourselves justice and played as if it was a pre-season game. We got a rude awakening in the first game and we know what we’re up against.

“We’re now in a better position than when we last faced them and we want to avenge that defeat because no one likes losing.

“It is good that it has come around so quickly but we know it will be a tough game.

“We'll go into it full of confidence and it's a big competition for us.”

The manager, whose side reached the first round of the FA Cup last season, said: “It’s a big competition and not just for the prestige.

“Financially it’s also very important and you can get good money if you can get through the rounds.

“It was massive for us last season and I think the confidence we drew from the run helped us go on to get promotion.

“We want to win this weekend and the boys will be focused because we need to fire on all cylinders.”

The Saints’ promising start to the season continued on Saturday when their 3-0 win at Wealdstone pushed them up to sixth in the Conference South.

Gray is not surprised by their form and believes they can remain at the top end of the table.

He said: “I think we are definitely there on merit and we could be even higher if we didn’t have to face four of the top sides in a row recently.

“We’re only three points off the top but it's definitely not a false position. We have to keep working hard otherwise we will come unstuck.

“I think a lot of people thought we would be struggling at the wrong end of the table but we have already proved we have a strong squad.”

Gray returned to former club Wealdstone last weekend and has backed his old boss Gordon Bartlett to guide the Stones away from the bottom of the table.

The Saints manager said: “Gordon has a tough job there but I'm sure that he will turn it around. I learnt a lot from Gordon in terms of the way to manage and conduct yourself and I’m sure that he can get them out of trouble.”

The club will be running a team and supporters’ coach to Maidenhead for their FA Cup tie on Sunday.

Departure will be from the Clarence Road entrance to the ground at 11.30am.

There are a limited number of £10 seats available so anyone wishing to travel on the coach should book early by calling Ian Rogers on 07714 145862.