D’Ath insists complacency won’t be an issue in FA Cup second round tie

Town will tackle either Boreham Wood from the Vanarama National League or Evo-Stik Northern League outfit Northwich Victoria at Sixfields on the weekend of December 4-7.

The tie is the reward for Saturday’s impressive first round win, when the Cobblers were the underdogs in winning 2-1 at Sky Bet League One outfit Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.

This time though, the Cobblers are going to be the giants running the risk of getting slayed, and D’Ath insists there will be no complacency in the Sixfields camp.

“If we do a good job then we should get through to the next round,” said the former Reading man.

“It is going to be a hard game, whichever team it is, and it is going to be completely different to the game at Coventry.

“We are probably going to have more possession and will have to break them down, and in a cup tie anything can happen.

“It is a good opportunity for us, but we need to keep our heads down and do our jobs.

“If we do everything we are capable of doing, then we should go through.”

Those thoughts were echoed by boss Chris Wilder, who accepts his team will be big favourites to progress to the third round.

“It will be roles reversed in terms of the challenge that we will have (compared to the Coventry tie), because we will be massive favourites to win that game, whatever team makes it through,” said the Town manager.

“That is going to mean a different type of pressure, but we are in good nick, playing some decent football, and most importantly the attitude and desire of the group to get a result whatever the situation is first class.”

The Cobblers are back in league two action this Saturday when they host Mansfield Town at Sixfields (ko 3pm).

There is good news on the injury front, with both Ryan Cresswell and Joel Byrom expected to be fit for selection.

That means the only two members of the squad currently unavailable are Ricky Holmes, who is well on his way back from his back problem, and Paul Corry, who is out for the season due to a knee injury.