Ian Culverhouse knows more than most the value of a good run in knockout competitions – and wants his King's Lynn Town side to use his experience to their benefit on Saturday.

The Linnets take a break from Southern League duties when they entertain Mildenhall in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.

It's the first step to Wembley, but Culverhouse will see it as a way of building the feelgood factor on and off the field at The Walks.

The Linnets remain second in the league after a hard-earned 2-1 win over Bishops Stortford in midweek – a Trophy run would be a perfect complement to their promotion ambitions.

'Confidence breeds confidence and there is no better feeling than winning football matches,' said Culverhouse.

'I have seen that the club have in recent seasons enjoyed some good cup runs in various competitions and I am aware how important these matches are to our supporters.

'Mildenhall will arrive with no pressure on them and probably with a good support as it's not that far away. That will create a special atmosphere inside the ground and hopefully my players will respond to that.

'The league is mine and the club's priority this season. However, progressing through some rounds and generating further interest in the club in the FA Trophy is no bad thing.'

Culverhouse will want an improvement from midweek when an early two-goal lead was quickly pegged back, leading to some nervous moments.

'It was rather scrappy wasn't it?' admitted Culverhouse. 'We began well, got the early goals, but then conceded an awful goal and we really never got going again after that. Our game management needs to be better in those situations. It wasn't the best but it was three points on a Tuesday night and we move on.'

Mildenhall – who play in Bostik North after promotion as Thurlow Nunn Premier League champions last season – are managed by former Linnets keeper Dean Greygoose.

The Hall squad includes Danny Crow, a former team-mate of Lynn's Ryan Jarvis at Lowestoft and Norwich City.

The winners will earn £3,250 in prize money with a replay on Tuesday if it ends all square.