Brackley Town manager Gavin Cowan expects a tough FA Cup tie with Braintree

“We do our due diligence and try to take every blade of grass into account in terms of analysis and understanding of the opposition.

“Braintree will probably be our toughest test of the season, they were promoted (last season) and have real depth in the squad but it will be a tough test for them as well.

“We are very ambitious, so we are happy with the draw, but we know we will have to respect them and rise to the occasion if we want to progress to the next round.”

Braintree have lost their last three league matches and are 21st in Division Five, while Brackley have won their previous two matches.

Iron boss Angelo Harrop told BBC Essex after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Sutton United that he felt the fans’ “pain” but continued: “They have the most passionate manager, without a shadow of a doubt.

“Look at Ipswich: fantastic coach, good team, got up, didn’t win a single game. I’m not saying we’re a Premier League team, but the scenario is the same.”

He said the match against Brackley was by no means a “break” from their normal routine, adding: “It’s a big game for the football club – every game this year is a big one.”

Opposite number Cowan has played in the FA Cup for Canvey Island, Shrewsbury Town and Nuneaton and has no doubt about the importance of the competition.

He said: “(To) my generation, when I was growing up, the FA Cup was bigger than the European Cup.

“It’s a real privilege to get through to the first round and the boys have worked really hard and put in incredible performances to get there.”

He added: “We have put together a relatively small team this year to try to keep the quality of the group (consistent) and with a lot of equipment, the responsibility for keeping the treatment room empty falls on the nursing staff.

“Our focus is on the league and also the FA Cup because it brings funds and income to the club and helps us grow.”