Shildon manager Danny Moore says that there is no pressure on his team when they tackle FA Cup giants Altrincham in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at Dean Street today.

Shildon are underdogs against the Manchester side, who have reached the first round proper on more than 30 occasions and now play in the EvoStik League premier division after being relegated twice from the National League and National League North in successive seasons.

“I’ve been to watch them twice since the draw was made, and they’re a very good side,” said Moore. “They’ve brought in players who helped Salford get into the National League North play offs last season, and from what I’ve seen, they’ll be very close to winning that league.

“They’re obviously the favourites, so there’s no pressure on us, and our players have earned the opportunity to play against them after getting us through three rounds so far.

“But this is the FA Cup, it’s the competition in which anything can happen, and there is always a giantkilling of some sort in a one-off game – so why not us?

“We’ve got a game plan that we’ve worked on during the week, but the most important thing is that we don’t concede an early goal and to stay in the game for as long as possible.

“We’d love to get through to the next round, but we know that we have a very difficult job to do so.”

Moore will give several players fitness tests before the game, to which 200 or 300 Altrincham fans will be making the journey across the Pennines to attend.