Wakeling plots United downfall

Former United boss George Wakeling is assistant manager at Carshalton Athletic who entertain the Ryman Division One underdogs in the second qualifying round on Saturday October 2.

Wakeling watched his old club in their last two matches - a 3-1 defeat away to AFC Wimbledon at the weekend and a 3-0 reverse at home to Horsham on Tuesday.

Wakeling said: "We know how big the competition is because we had it with Stevenage (who beat Hastings 1-0 in the first round) two seasons ago. It can bring in a lot of money. We're very fortunate we've been drawn at home and we've got to take advantage of that.

"We could knock them out but I've got to do my job and one of my jobs is making sure I get it right and I know the set-up of this Hastings side more than most people so that's why I nominated myself to have a look at them."

The Robins ply their trade two divisions above Hastings in Nationwide Conference South so start as hot favourites. Wakeling went on: "To be totally honest we play in a different standard to this every week and although the FA Cup brings different results, by rights we should beat them. But the side here work hard and it will be a good game.

"Being drawn at home and playing two leagues above this day-in, day-out I would expect us to win the game."

Wakeling, who is assistant to former Crawley Town boss Billy Smith, admitted he would have rather have avoided drawing his old club. "It's not a nice game. I've got a lot of feeling for the club and obviously I would like them to do well but not at our expense."

Looking ahead to the trip to Colston Avenue, Hastings manager Steve Lovell said: "They are two leagues above us, they've started to pick up in the last couple of weeks, it's going to be a tough tie. But it's the FA Cup and anything can happen. If we perform as we have done for most of the season we'll give them a good game."

Any replay would be at the Pilot Field on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.