BOWERS & Pitsea are looking to make history by booking their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Rob Small’s side will make the trip to Isthmian Premier League rivals Lewes tomorrow having already seen off Barkingside and Brentwood Town in the competition.

And Small is eager to be the manager to guide Bowers past the second qualifying round for the first time.

“We are big underdogs against Lewes because they are an established club at this level and were also in the National League not so long ago,” said Small.

“It’s a tall order but, at the same time, it’s a free hit because everyone will be expecting Lewes to progress.

“I’m also aware that it is an opportunity to take the club into the third qualifying round for the first time in Bowers’ history.

“Although we have already done what we needed to from a financial point of view in the competition, we want to see where the journey takes us.

“We would love to make more history by being in the hat for the next round and it would be a huge achievement.”

Bowers head to the Dripping Pan having already recorded a victory there this season.

Goals from Brad Warner and Lewis Manor allowed Bowers to record a 2-0 Isthmian Premier League triumph last month.

And Small believes there are pros and cons following the win.

“We have got a result there earlier in the season, so we should be confident,” added Small.

“But they know what we are about now, so that element of surprise has gone out of the window.

“Lewes will be better prepared and hungry to beat us.

“It’s not a good thing for us but, having beaten them already, it is not unthinkable to think we can win again.

“If I think about the potential draws we could have had at this stage of the competition, a trip to Lewes is among the hardest we could have asked for.”

Small is pleased to be going into the weekend as the underdogs.

And he feels Bowers will need to perform better than they did in the wins over Barkingside and Brentwood in the earlier rounds of the competition.

Small admitted: “We limped past Barkingside and Brentwood.

“We didn’t perform well in those games and we were the favourites.

“Because of that, I think it will be nice to have no expectations of going through.

“We can enjoy the game and I have always preferred us being the underdogs.”