DANNY Cowley’s Concord Rangers is facing up to the challenge of an extremely tricky FA Cup third qualifying round encounter.

The Beachboys will square up to Skrill North side Histon on October 12 knowing that their opponents have plenty of firepower and a number of pros in their ranks.

But the draw has not dented Cowley’s confidence as he bids to mastermind a run to the fourth qualifying round for the first time ever.

He said: “It’s true that we were hoping for somebody easier in the next round but that’s the way it is.

“It’s a tough draw for us because they are a team who could play in the Conference and a lot of their boys are full-time.

“We had a so-called easier match at the weekend and we made a bit of a job of that!”

Histon earned their place in the third qualifying round thanks to a 4-0 drubbing of Royston and they sit in ninth place in the Skrill North division, whereas Rangers are 10th in the Skrill South.

But Cowley says that his team always have goals in them — they beat St Ives Town 4-3 to advance to this stage — and the boss believes that his players could have racked up even more in that encounter.

He said: “We could have banged in eight more goals at the weekend.

“And I know that we have the ability to score, so I’m hoping that we can do that in the cup.

“It’s true that there are plenty of easier draws on paper, but if we win it will be the furthest that we have ever got in the FA Cup and that’s something that inspires players and inspires clubs.”

“We’re under the cosh at present with injury concerns and this weekend I only had two subs — compared to Histon’s seven — but over the next few days we are hoping that some of the lads will be back.

“I’d really like to have Nicky Cowley and Tony Stokes back from injury and able to play.

“They’re not a million miles away from full fitness.

“And there’s Brad Hamilton who broke his toe earlier in the summer. He’s making good progress.

“I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for them.

“But this week we’ll be focussing on training hard as we’ve got Eastleigh on Saturday,” Cowley added.