BASINGSTOKE Town will be hoping to put their poor start to the season behind them when they get their FA Cup campaign under way.

The Dragons recorded their first win of the season on Tuesday night, beating Farnborough 3-0 in the Hampshire Senior Cup to end a run of 11 National League South games without a victory.

They now turn their attention to the FA Cup, hosting Southern League outfit Slough Town in the second qualifying round of the competition on Saturday (3pm).

Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow said: “The FA Cup is the greatest cup competition in the world.

“It creates a different atmosphere and it is a big game for the club.

“It’s a tie that both sides will be desperate to win and Slough will fancy their chances looking at our current league position.”

Town fans will be hoping that Tuesday’s win over Farnborough is a turning point in the season, but Bristow is warning that Slough, who sit 19th in the Southern Premier, will be a totally different proposition.

“It was important that we got the win on Tuesday and it will give us a lift, but Saturday will be a lot tougher,” he added.

“It’s important that we do not under-estimate Slough.

“They have had mixed fortunes so far this season, but they have goals in their side. They will be well-drilled and hard to break down.

“We want to play well in every game, but we would take a scrappy 1-0 win if that is what it takes to progress.”

Basingstoke will be without injured midfielders Jamie Brown (hip) and Simon Dunn (hamstring), while they are waiting on the fitness of Liam Enver-Marum (illness) and Harrison Gilkes (hip), who has scored two goals in two games since being handed a starting berth.