SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood has explained the Rebels will take lessons from the defeat to Rochdale last season into their FA Cup second round tie against Gillingham this Sunday (2pm), writes Rob Stevens.

Slough suffered a 4-0 defeat to Rochdale from League One in round two at Arbour Park last season and there are similarities with the much-anticipated visit of The Gills.

Gillingham are currently struggling in 18th position in League One and needed extra time to beat National League side Hartlepool United in the FA Cup first round two weeks ago.

Underwood and fellow boss Neil Baker watched The Gills win at Bristol Rovers in midweek and Underwood explained their approach to the tie will be different this time around.

He told the Observer: “Gillingham are at the wrong end in League One but they’re three levels above us and full-time professionals, so we know they’ve got some quality.

“Obviously it will be a tough game but we’ve learnt about them. We know what their strengths are, and where they struggle in the league and where teams can hurt them.

“The question is can we do that to them. We will have to play to our potential on the day really.

“We believe in ourselves and have got some quality in the squad with players that can produce a little bit of magic.”

Underwood continued: “We’ve learnt our lesson from the Rochdale game and how to approach it. That was the biggest game for us as managers and players and we’ve learnt from the experience.

“There will be a big crowd with a lot of our supporters behind us, so the pressure will be on Gillingham.

“We’re in a better position this time compared to last season and there are a few things we might do a little bit different. Hopefully the Rochdale experience will be better for us.

“There’s a three-league gap so it’s quite clear Gillingham will have to be not at their best and we will have to be at our absolute best, plus take our chances. Things have got to go in for us.

“The capacity has been increased to 2,800 and it will be pretty close to a sell out. I can’t see there being many spaces left empty so hopefully there will be a special atmosphere inside the ground on the day.”

Underwood added: "You do dream about the third round. We know it will be a really tough task to get there, but the FA Cup does make you dream of what could be and that's the exciting factor.

"There's £54,000 in prize money up for grabs on Sunday but the excitement is what might lay ahead.

"We might be invited to the draw which will include some of the biggest clubs in the world.

"It's important not to look too far ahead but it motivates you, it doesn't distract you."