JOHN Coventry says East Thurrock United’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash with Ebbsfleet United is a ‘no lose situation’.

Rocks defeated Harlow Town 2-1 on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Reece Harris and Lewis Smith, to set up a clash with the National League side.

And Coventry is under no illusions as to who is favourites for the tie, to be played on Saturday, October 14.

“Ebbsfleet are a very difficult proposition,” he said. “We should never have been in the same league as them last season, in my opinion, and their results show they are tough to beat.

“I will be looking for a typical East Thurrock performance and we know it is a game that is effectively a no lose situation.

“I got the performance I wanted against Harlow. We had a good attitude and if we had scored seven goals in the first half no-one would have argued.

“It is about getting through. It was one of those games where we were always in control.”

Rocks have signed striker Calvin Ekpiteta, cousin of defender Marvin Ekpiteta, from Bishop’s Stortford, after Femi Akinwande was released by Coventry.