THREE could be the magic number for Dorchester Town tomorrow.

The Magpies welcome Gloucester City to the Jewson Stadium in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup (3pm), looking to extend their winning run to three games by keeping a third clean sheet in succession and defeating the Blue Square North side at the third time of asking in the most famous of domestic cup competitions.

The previous two meetings between the sides, in 1980 and 1989, both ended in 1-0 victories for City so the Magpies will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky.

Both teams lie in the lower half of their respective Step Two divisions, but Gloucester have so far gained one extra point (12) from their opening 12 games.

Magpies’ boss Roy O’Brien believes his men will be in for a tough afternoon, despite seeing them score nine goals without reply in their last two outings.

He said: “Gloucester will be physical, strong and well organised so we’ll have to be at the top of our game. But we will go into it with confidence.

“I’ll be keeping the players grounded but I think they realise they need to keep themselves grounded. It’s an important game but I just want the players to go out there and perform.

“It’s a great distraction from the league and it’s nice to be involved in the competition as there is that added excitement which spurs you on.”

As well as a spot in the fourth qualifying round, just one step away from the first round proper and a possible date with the likes of Leeds United and Southampton, there will be £7,500 up for grabs tomorrow.

The Magpies are still without suspended duo Ryan Moss and Ashley Vickers, Ian Selley (ankle) is rated as doubtful while team captain Kevin Hill is likely to take a place on the bench. New signing Andre Costa, who had to be replaced 34 minutes in to his debut because of a stomach complaint, is set to feature but it is unclear whether keeper Ryan Northmore will.

Magpies (from): Coward, Northmore, Montacute, Bowles, Barnes, O’Brien, Hill, Smeeton, Martin, Jermyn, Gleeson, Mitchell, Nodwell, Costa, Crittenden, Walsh, Groves.

* O’Brien has tied down Neil Martin, Regan Coward and Ollie Barnes to long-term contracts with Ian Selley also set to sign a similar deal.

* A Dorchester XI went down 4-1 at Yeovil Town earlier this week in a behind-closed-doors friendly while the Under-18s travel to Cirencester Academy tomorrow morning (10.30am).