HOTSHOT Sam Higgins says East Thurrock United will need to be “the best they have ever been” to beat Hartlepool United in the FA Cup First Round.

Rocks travel to the League Two side this Saturday, having crushed Conference South side Bath City 7-1 in the last round of the competition, although record goalscorer Higgins thought he would have to miss the game after he picked up a booking in the fourth qualifying round rout.

But the club had made what manager John Coventry called a “clerical error”, having the striker down as having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he would be banned from the match at Victoria Park.

However, the day after the match, Coventry discovered Higgins would be available, having only picked up his fourth booking against Bath.

And Higgins says he and the rest of the team will need to be firing on all cylinders as they bid to make round two for the first time in their history, while admitting he was delighted to find out he would be available.

“I found out on Sunday I would be available and it was a great feeling,” said the striker, who scored a hat-trick in the last round. “We did very well to win 7-1, but this is another tough test.

“Hartlepool are a full-time side and have experienced players and we will have to be at our absolute best to win, although we are quietly confident of causing an upset.

“It is great for me personally to be able to play in the first round and I would have been devastated to miss out, but we have faith in our ability as a team.”

Coventry said having Higgins available was a huge boost for the club.

“We thought at the time he would miss the game and so did he,” said the East Thurrock boss. “So to have him back is a welcome surprise. He is delighted and so are we because he is a big part of what we do.”

Rocks will travel north on Friday morning on the luxury coach used by West Ham United, stopping on the way for a training session at Bradford City, before they spend the night at a Darlington hotel. They will travel onto Hartlepool the following morning.

“Joe Keith played under Phil Parkinson at Colchester United (now Bradford City boss) and he has arranged the training session which is good of him,” said Coventry. “By making a weekend out of it we are able to add to the occasion and it is good for the players. They deserve this.”

Rocks’ manager says he has got scouting reports for the Hartlepool clash from Newport County manager and former Southend United player Justin Edinburgh, with the sides drawing 2-2 in the league at the weekend.

And Coventry says he is under no illusions how tough the challenge will be.

“Hartlepool may be at the bottom of League Two but they are still a football league side,” he said. “They have brought in a new manager (Paul Murray) last week and he has brought in a number of players since then.

“The whole squad is very excited for the match.”