BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager Tom Rothery wants to “keep a lid” on talk of a potential FA Cup showdown against former Football League side Torquay United.

The R's have been handed a mouth-watering tie at home to the Devon outfit but only if they get through tomorrow's second qualifying round replay against Egham Town at the Taydal Stadium.

The draw has given both sides extra motivation as the winners will host the Gulls on Saturday, October 6.

However, Rothery is refusing to get ahead of himself and says he and his players must take care of Egham first.

“I'd be lying if I said it wasn't an exciting prospect,” he told the Gazette.

“Torquay are a massive side in non-league football.

“Until a few years ago, they were in the Football League and I remember when they played Colchester United in the Third Division play-off final at Wembley in 1998.

“It would be an amazing prospect, a real 'wow' moment and a complete package in terms of the crowd we'd get and the exposure our club would receive.

“But it means absolutely nothing if we don't beat Egham first.

“I'm not trying to be clichéd or play games but we have to concentrate on tomorrow first.

“No-one should get ahead of themselves because it would hurt so much not to get through, given the prize at stake.”

Rothery is still smarting from Saturday's 3-3 draw in the first game against Egham.

His side led 2-0 and 3-1 thanks to goals from Matt Baxter, Jake Gould and Josh Gould.

But despite being reduced to ten men following a red card, Egham rallied and grabbed their equaliser in the 90th minute.

“We didn't start well but went 2-0 ahead against the run of play, thanks to two well-taken goals,” said Rothery.

“I thought we'd push on but we didn't get organised and were fortunate to go in at half-time leading 2-1.

“The second half was better.

“We brought on a substitute, changed our shape and went 3-1 ahead.

“But then we conceded two sloppy goals – one from the penalty spot and one from a corner, which came after we had possession.

“It allowed them to send their keeper forward and create panic in our box.

“We're on a run where every time we make a mistake we get punished at the moment.

“I was absolutely fuming afterwards but hopefully the players will turn up with the right attitude tomorrow night, with a determination to put things right.”

If the R’s win tomorrow they will pocket £9,000 and the incentive for winning in the next round is an eye-watering £15,000.

COGGESHALL TOWN, meanwhile, have been handed a trip to either Salisbury FC or Weston-super-Mare as a reward for their 2-0 victory at home to Walton Casuals on Saturday.