Stevenage manager Alex Revell knows a thing or two about being in a step three non-league side that is facing an EFL side in the FA Cup first round.

It was at the same stage 19 years ago that he captained Braintree Town in a clash with Shrewsbury Town.

And he is hoping that knowing how he and his Iron team-mates felt in the build-up to their game will help him plot safe passage against Northern Premier League Guiseley.

"It was excitement," he said recalling that November day in 2005. "There was no pressure, we felt no pressure. 

"We lost 4-1, they had Joe Hart in goal, but yeah, before it was the excitement of it all and the fact you’re travelling and it just feels different because there is no pressure. 

"You can go out and show how you know you should be playing. 

"The pressure is all on us [against Guiseley] and back then, we felt the pressure was all on Shrewsbury to perform. 

"That day, they dealt with it in the right way, they had the right attitude, the desire to win first contact and second balls and show their quality in the final third. 

"And we [Braintree] as a team weren’t probably strong enough at that time to just to keep going. 

"But although we lost, the amount of games we had to get there made it feel like we’d won the FA Cup. 

"It's a special feeling but what we [Stevenage] have to make sure is that we realise how special it is. 

"We’ve had special memories and you have to make sure you deal with these games in order to create your own. 

"We have to deal with [Guiseley] in the right manner and that all comes down to making sure you're in the hat on Sunday."

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If Stevenage didn't know already what a special competition the FA Cup is, they have had a good schooling over the last two years, two completely conflicting levels of emotion.

Revell said: "We went to Aston Villa and had that game and everything that came with it. It was a special memory for everyone here. 

"Then we had what happened last year [at Maidstone]. We got burned from that so the players know the importance of this game, not only for themselves because of what it can bring, but for the football club too. 

"To us it's a huge game and it's a chance to put right this last week, but only if we turn up to the game with absolute focus to win. 

"You can only do that with the right attitude. You have to turn up to these games and deliver."

In terms of Guiseley, the Stevenage boss was full of praise.

The Lions have won four matches to reach the first round, their last two games seeing off National League North pair Scunthorpe United and Kidderminster Harriers.

In the league, they have lost three times to Macclesfield, Stockton Town and Worksop Town, three of the current top four.

The other top four side, Hebburn Town, head to Nethermoor Park in two weeks time.

Revell says all of that means the West Yorkshire side deserve "huge credit" and respect.

He said: "We've treated this game like any other game.

"If you don’t, then it's not doing justice to the cup, to Guiseley, to anyone. 

"When we're watching them, they try to play, they’re comfortable on the ball and they want to move forward. 

"They've got pace, they've got a front player that is reliable and they've caused teams real problems this year. 

"Sometimes your form can take a dip when you have a good cup run but they seem to have stayed quite focused. 

"When you play a team in the FA Cup from below where you are, it’s a leveller because they will have the right attitude and will find that extra bit to compete. 

"They will enjoy the day and so for us, we have to make sure we do everything right in terms of our preparation. 

"We’ve prepared properly and now we have to be ready to compete."