Sutton United boss Paul Doswell reckons an away draw to Hereford United may not be the most glamorous tie, but it does give his side a chance of causing an upset.

Goals from Matt Hann, Sam Gargan and an Alan Pouton penalty secured a famous 3-1 win at Blue Square South play-off hopefuls Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday to secure a spot in the FA Cup first round proper for the second successive season.

Hereford beat Sutton 2-1 at Gander Green Lane at the same stage of the competition in 1992 and secured 2-0 second round triumph at Edgar Street in 1995.

But Doswell reckons it could be a case of third time lucky for his side providing they can maintain the away form that has brought them five wins on the road this season.

“You start off dreaming of a League One side like Leeds United when they make the draw, so I have to say I was initially disappointed,” he said.

“But when you look at the detail of it we have half a chance. I couldn’t have said that if we’d drawn Southampton or Charlton Athletic.

“It will be a great day out for everyone and a good team bonding session for the players and officials.

“It wouldn’t be the biggest shock of all time if we won. We probably need a good day and they’ll need be a bit off colour, but we are in with a shot.

“We have won our last four away games and our support on the road is first class. We’ll be going to Hereford to give it a real go.”

Last year’s run to a first round home defeat to Notts County, the £25,000 sale of Stefan Payne to Fulham earlier this season and the £27,500 prize money from this season’s heroics have boosted the club coffers by more than £100,000 in the last 18 months.

And Doswell used that fact to hit back at critics, who claimed this season’s squad was among the worst in the club’s history after last week’s 2-0 FA Trophy exit to Tonbridge Angels.

“There are four or five people - who I like to call the muppets - that will always moan. I read an unpleasant letter from one before Saturday’s game, but I don’t think I’ll be hearing from them after that result,” he added.

“Ninety-nine per cent of Sutton fans are behind what we are doing and they were fantastic at the weekend. I just wish they could be like that when we play at home.”

United entertain Waltham Abbey in the Ryman League Premier Division on Saturday and Doswell, who expects to welcome Jason Goodliffe and Steve Perkins back to the starting line-up, insists the priority is to keep Sutton’s play-off push on track.

“The Hereford game will probably be our cup final, but we need to ignore that and focus on getting our home form in order,” he said.

“Our consistency hasn’t been good enough this season. If we turn up sloppy against Waltham we will get beaten and it is my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Sutton’s next three games: Oct 31 Waltham Abbey (h), Nov 7 Hereford United (FAC, a), 10 Horsham (ILC, a).