ACCRINGTON Stanley face a side two divisions below them in the non-league pyramid when they bid to close in on a place in the first round proper of the FA Cup tomorrow.

But Northern League leaders Bedlington Terriers don't class themselves as the underdogs and are relishing the prospect of adding another scalp to their recent list of cup conquests.

Two seasons ago Bedlington reached the second round after beating Colchester United 4-1 at their Dr Pitt Welfare Park in round one.

And joint manager Tony Lowery seems to have just cause for claiming that his side, winners of the Northern League for the last three seasons, are better than their current status suggests.

He said: "Over the last three or four years we have played about seven teams from the UniBond Premier Division and only been beaten once so we are up to that standard.

"We've been a match for numerous UniBond teams and we wouldn't fear any of them.

"We could definitely compete at Unibond Premier Division level and I fancy we would be in the top half.

"We don't play any of those teams as underdogs but with a realistic chance of a result.

"But from what I have seen, Accrington will be a top-six side so it will be tough."

Financial considerations have prevented Bedlington from claiming promotion to the UniBond League and so the nationwide cup competitions have a special importance for the Northumberland club, who have won seven and drawn two of their opening nine league games.

"We set our stall out at the start of the year to have a little bit of a run.

"You need a bit of luck but we fancy ourselves in the Vase and we targetted this stage at least in the FA Cup," said former Mansfield Town player Lowery, who is delighted to be at home after winning their opening three rounds on the road. "The home draw is important for us. There aren't many teams in the last four years who have come here and upset us," he said.

The Terriers beat Spennymoor United 3-0 to reach tomorrow's third qualifying round and Lowery saw Stanley put six past the same opposition in the League in mid-week.

He was impressed with John Coleman's outfit and despite the Terriers' recent cup pedigree, knows Bedlington face a tough test.

The Terriers boss said: "This is a really tough game and we don't under-estimate Accrington. They look a decent outfit.

"They have three decent strikers, they play good football and Mark Patterson, who I've played against when I as at Mansfield, makes them play.

"I was impressed with Accrington and it's one that could either way. It's all about on the day and how people react. And at this stage of the Cup everyone will be up for it."

Bedlington's ace-in-the-pack could be prolific striker John Milner, who has scored 14 times already this season and boasts over 200 goals for the club in four seasons.

However, Stanley have their own in-form striker in Paul Mullin, who took his tally for the Reds to seven in the mid-week romp.

"I think it was one of the best performances of the season so far and if the Bedlington manager was watching I hope he sees another good performance from us on Saturday," said Coleman, whose side will be just one win away from going into the hat with the Second and Third Division clubs in the first round proper if they win in the North-East.

"Paul Mullin is really on top of his game at the moment. I personally don't think there is a better striker than him," Coleman added.

"And it was nice for Gary Williams to get his first goal since his return. He can now perhaps relax a bit. But he has been playing well and I've never had a problem with him not scoring.

"I've heard quite a bit about Bedlington from the manager at Prescot, the team they played in an earlier round. They have some good players but they haven't got better than us. It will be a tight pitch and probably an uneven surface but we are well prepared and we are looking forward to it."

Stanley's only fitness doubt is Steve Carragher, who took a knock in the game at Spennymoor after only recently returning from injury.

Striker Paul Mullin is looking to increase his seven goal tally at Bedlington Terriers in the FA Cup