Harrow Borough manager Dave Anderson believes his side will play with freedom and no pressure when they face Basingstoke Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Reds head into this weekend’s fourth qualifying tie as big underdogs against the Conference South leaders but their boss has not ruled out an upset.

Anderson said: “People might say they’re disappointed with the draw but it takes us into a situation where we’re under no real pressure.

“Everyone in the world would expect them to beat us and it’s the easiest managerial speech in the world. The lads will be motivated and determined to put in a big performance.

“They will be playing with freedom and the players won’t carry any pressure into the match.”

Anderson added: “It’s the FA Cup so it’s the best competition in the world. We are absolutely capable of an upset.

“But to do that then we know we will have to be at our best.”

Boro warmed up for the tie with a convincing 3-0 win at Clapton in the first round of the London Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Anderson selected a number of youngsters for the match and they rewarded his faith by guiding Boro through to the next round of the competition.

Boro took the lead after 16 minutes when John Sonuga headed home on his first appearance for the club.

The visitors did not have to wait long to add a second goal when striker Jake Gilbert was released and he took a touch before firing the ball into the net.

The Reds rounded off the scoring on the hour mark when academy striker Keiran Noel tucked the ball home from an acute angle.

Anderson’s side slipped into the Ryman Premier Division relegation zone after a disappointing 3-2 defeat at strugglers VCD Athletic on Saturday.

Boro fell behind early on through Michael Power’s strike in the third minute. It got worse for them when Power struck again to extend VCD’s lead.

The visitors pulled one back in the 37th minute when Ryan Hope’s strike took a deflection and found the net.

But Steve Butterworth was sent off for dissent for the second match in a row to leave the Reds facing an uphill struggle.

Ten man Boro grabbed an equaliser in the last ten minutes when Marc Charles-Smith finished sharply at the near post.

But a dramatic climax saw Power complete his hat-trick in the 93rd minute to leave the Reds shellshocked.