DORCHESTER Town boss Graham Kemp says his players cannot afford to show any fear when they take on non-League giants Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The biggest crowd since the Magpies’ win over Plymouth Argyle two years ago is expected at the Avenue for the hosts’ fourth qualifying round tie against Darrell Clarke’s Pirates (3pm).

And while Rovers are clear favourites for the game, the cup, as Dorchester fans know, has the propensity to throw up surprises when people least suspect.

Successive league victories against Hitchin last Saturday and Burnham on Tuesday have given Kemp’s men a big confidence boost going into the match.

However, hamstring injuries to Ben Joyce and Jake Smeeton mean their involvement tomorrow could be in doubt.

With four players in his squad cup-tied, Kemp will be praying the experienced duo can recover in time to give his side a chance of upsetting the odds.

Either way, Kemp believes the Magpies must get the fundamentals right and try not to be over-awed by their opponents if they want to progress in the competition.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “You want to be involved in these games and this will be the toughest team I’ve faced as a manager.

“When two of your key players are injured in the build up to a game like this it’s a kick in the teeth.

“But things like this are sent to test us and we’ll have to deal with it if they aren’t able to play.”

He went on to add: “I would say we are a long shot to win the game but there are always shocks in the FA Cup.

“We’ll approach it in the right way and give it everything we’ve got.

“You need a bit of luck but it’s the same with any game you go into, you have to do the basics right.

“If we sit back and let them play they will tear us apart.

“We have to compete all over the park and not show any fear.

“When we get the ball we have to look to express ourselves.”

With more than 2,000 Rovers fans set to descend on the county town, tomorrow’s tie could feel more like a home game for the visitors.

The Pirates’ army of supporters are set to raise the noise levels at the Avenue, but Magpies’ chairman Matt Lucas has issued a rallying call to the Dorchester faithful to make sure they get themselves heard as well.

“The supporters at this club are great and can make a huge difference,” he said.

“It’s so good to see so many of our younger supporters adding to the atmosphere behind the goal on a match day.

“The home support is so important for us, and I know they will be like an extra man for their team come tomorrow.

“As always, we need our fans in full voice. Together we can all work for the positive benefit of Dorchester Town FC.

“We need the fans’ support at every game, and let’s hope they continue to get behind us.”

Matt Oldring, Micky Hubbard, Ryan Murray and Jack Odam are those cup-tied for the hosts, while Kyle Critchell is also unavailable.

Meanwhile, Rovers, sixth in the Vanarama Conference, lost at home to Forest Green last weekend having won six and drawn three of their previous nine league games.

Magpies (from): Walker-Harris, Kaye, Smeeton, Walker, Dillon, Lanahan, Gleeson, Davis, Crittenden, Robinson, Smith, Joyce, Hanger, Brookes, Rolls, Parrett, Murphy