Jim Smith has warned his Oxford United players to expect a stern test in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.

The Welsh club are not having a good season, lying fifth from bottom in the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division and getting dumped out of the FA Trophy 3-0 at Chippenham last weekend.

But the Martyrs will see Oxford as a potential big scalp if they can get their game together.

And all south Wales clubs can - when their fans get behind them - make their home grounds seem intimidating places to play.

Smith knows it could be a tough tie, and that was reinforced by discussions he had with Woking boss Frank Gray.

"It's going to be a hard place to go," Smith said. "I was talking to Frank before Saturday's game. He went there with Farnborough Town in similar circumstances, and Farnborough were beaten.

"It's Merthyr's major game of the season. It's not the most salubrious place to go and play - having been there a couple of times - but we've got the players to go and win that game."