Boss Steve Appleby believes Wisbech Town's FA Vase exit to 2012 winners Dunston UTS is still fuelling the Fenmen's Wembley dream.

Wisbech visit Thackley this afternoon looking to reach the last 32 for the second season in a row. And Appleby admits the hurt from losing to Dunston in last season's fourth-round replay is driving the Fenmen on as they travel up to Bradford.

The Fenmen manager said: 'Dunston was a big lesson learned. I felt we should have progressed and even the Dunston boss, to his credit, said after they came away with the victory that they felt their name was on the trophy.

'That sort of tells its own story. We missed a massive opportunity because we had them beaten at home. But that's the cruel way football is. You've got to take your chances. It did give us belief though that we can achieve what we want to if we want it bad enough. If we play to play to our potential I believe there's not a lot of teams at this level who can stop us.'

Appleby's troops, second in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, play at the same level of the non-league ladder - Step Five - as the Northern Counties East League Premier Division Dennyboys. Despite not being able to watch today's third round opponents, the Fenman chief says he is not concerned about venturing into the unknown.

'To be honest, I prefer it. It means all you've got to do is take care of yourselves and get your own house in order,' said Appleby, who has a full squad to chose from including back-up 'keeper Tom Roberts.

'I've got a few friends up north that play or have played in and around their league and I've spoken to them about their strengths and weaknesses. They are not just a physical side, they can play a bit, so it will be very tight.'

In a further boost for the promotion-chasing Elgood's Fenland Stadium outfit, Appleby - who led Wisbech to their first trophy in 16 years in 2011 - said he wouldn't be applying for the vacant Boston United job.

'I think it's a job that interests me. I played for them and I live there and it's a higer league. But I'm old school,' said Wisbech's boss.

'I'm in a job so I certainly won't be applying for another one. I just feel I've got a job to finish off at Wisbech. If people get approached, then you have to deal with it, but I'm only concerned about our game.'