BOBBY Wilkinson believes home advantage and underdog status can help Weymouth topple Bath City in the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round tomorrow (3pm).

Weymouth are intent on reaching the main draw for a second straight season.

In 2022/23, they took League Two side AFC Wimbledon to a replay before losing 3-1 at Plough Lane.

However, they have theoretically been given the toughest possible tie at this stage as they host National League South leaders Bath.

READ MORE: AFC Stoneham U23s 0-10 Weymouth U23s - report

Wilkinson upped the ante pre-match by suggesting Bath are favourites, with the pressure being on Jerry Gill’s Romans.

He told Echosport: “We’re looking forward to the challenge, we’re meeting the best team in the league at the moment.

“Stats don’t lie, they’re top. It brings more of a challenge to us but if we can keep the run of form and the standards high we’ll give ourselves a chance.

“We’ll be using it to our advantage, we’ve got a very good chance of winning because we’re at home.

“We’ve sort of made it a fortress, I know we’ve had one or two bad ones in there, let’s hope we can keep the form going and let’s have a go at Bath.”

On the Weymouth faithful being the 12th man, Wilkinson said: “They’re so important right now, I’m not sure sometimes they know how important they are. We feed off them.

“Collectively, when you go into it as one you’ve got more chance of winning. You have to make them get off their seats and be louder by showing entertaining football, putting the ball in the box and creating chances.

“That’s something we’ll be working on to put a smile on their faces.”

Last time out, ten-man Weymouth were electric in the final 35 minutes of their 1-1 draw with Chippenham, extending to three games their unbeaten run.

“We spoke about that and we want to continue that momentum,” Wilkinson said.

“There was lots of energy, lots of high pressing and work rate. Everything you wanted in your team came in that last 43 minutes with the injury time.

“That’s something I would love to continue. The prep towards the game definitely worked with the pre-match meal.

“We got everyone down earlier, so we’re learning every week how we can be better. We’ll keep to the same standards this week. We looked hungry and wanted to win.”

Jordon Thompson’s dismissal caused Weymouth’s numerical disadvantage on Saturday and Wilkinson revealed the Terras have appealed his straight red.

He added: “We’ve appealed it, when we looked at it he was 36, 37 yards away from goal.

“We’ve got a chance of winning it, we’ve heard, but we won’t know until (tonight).”

Weymouth could hand deals to striker Mo Shubbar and full-back Sam Oguntayo following impressive performances for the Terras’ under-23s in the 10-0 win over Stoneham on Tuesday.

That would mean players travelling in the opposite direction, with forward Tommy Stagg tipped for a move out on loan for more game time.

Elsewhere, midfielder Tyrique Clarke has received treatment at St George’s Park, England’s training headquarters.

The midfielder’s progress means he could finally make his Weymouth debut next month.

Wilkinson said: “Tyrique is getting extra treatment at England’s facilities, he’s been there for a week.

“He’s basically been told he could have the go-ahead in the next couple of weeks. He had to take a week off work, so I’m very pleased for him.”

Meanwhile, Wilkinson confirmed left-back Nelson Iseguan is taking a break from football after picking up a knee injury immediately after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Wilkinson added: “He’s still struggling with his knee and taking a bit of time out from football at the moment.

“I think it’s affecting his work, so we’re not sure how long he’s going to be. That one’s still a long way away.”