Oxford City manager Mike Ford says a place in the last 16 and a draw against a big club should be the perfect incentive for his players to win at Sutton United in tomorrow’s FA Carlsberg Trophy second round.

But Ford says victory at Gander Green Lane, where the hosts famously knocked Coventry City out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win in 1989, is far from a formality.

With City’s trip to Bradford PA off due to a frozen pitch last Saturday, Ford watched Blue Square Bet South side Sutton defeat Dorchester Town 1-0.

“They have had a couple of good results and beat a Dorchester side, who knocked Plymouth out of the FA Cup, before losing narrowly to Luton,” said Ford.

“So they will be no push-overs. They are strong and robust and have a bit of pace in the right places.

“We are under no illusions about the challenge in front of us. It’s a big ask and they will be a difficult nut to crack.

“But if we play well we are capable of getting a victory.”

Ford said getting through to the next round would be a big achievement for his side.

He added: “It would mean we have won again and then you get the excitement of the draw.

“It’s the last 16 and you would look for a favourable draw.

“Then you look at a Wembley final at the end of it. It’s a big carrot for the players.

“We’ve got to go there and be highly motivated and completely focused.

“They have got some experienced players like Jamie Stuart who played for Charlton Athletic in the football league.

“But we have some experienced players in our side. I wouldn’t swap Chris Willmott for anyone in our division.”

Ford said: “Their team will all be aware of that Coventry game, but I am sure that their manager will want to create some history himself.”

City midfielder Liam Malone (ankle) is an injury doubt.

Oxford City: from Ingram, Mills, Stone-house, Ballard, Learoyd, Willmott, Mulvany, Pond, Holgate, Basham, Stanley, Barcelos, Benjamin, Gunn, Cook, Glass.