Captain Adam Collin says Carlisle United must be ready for a Dulwich Hamlet side playing the biggest game of their lives tonight.

The Blues head for south London aiming to avoid an FA Cup upset in a first round game being televised live on the BBC (kick-off 7.55pm).

Goalkeeper Collin says it does not matter how United progress, as long as they do not make what would be an embarrassing exit from the competition.

“Get the job done,” Collin said. “Whether it’s a last-minute winner, whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be glamorous – just get the job done and get to the next round of the cup.

“You’ve just got to approach it like any other game. They’ll have a real good go at us – it will be the biggest game of their season, the biggest game of their careers for some of their players.

“They’re gonna give it everything they’ve got so we’ve got to match that and make sure our quality comes out on top.

“We will treat them with the utmost respect, go down there and perform like we would if we were playing a league game. We’ve got to make sure we get in that next round.”

Manager Steven Pressley has three injury concerns ahead of the tie at Champion Hill, with Jack Bridge hoping to shake off an ankle knock, and Stefan Scougall and Christie Elliott both unlikely to figure.

Byron Webster is back from suspension leaving Pressley to decide whether to recall the defender or stick with his more youthful centre-half pairing of Jon Mellish and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Cumbrian Collin, the most experienced man in the United squad, said his younger team-mates must deal with the extra pressure in front of the TV cameras as they face their National League South opponents for a place in Monday’s second round draw.

“Any time you play on TV it’s a nice bonus and you’ve got to be able to handle the occasion,” he said. “It’ll be a learning curve for some of the young lads, but they’re professional footballers – they’ve got to go and handle themselves professionally and get the job done.

“We probably don’t know as much [about Dulwich] as we would a league team – normally we get all the stats and stuff from WyScout but not so much with these. We know a little bit about them, but if we take care of the occasion and prepare properly, then I’ve got no doubt we’ll come out on top.”

Collin has been involved in ties against non-league sides before with United and has managed to avoid being on the wrong end of a shock. He said: “We played Tipton a few years ago and got through that one, we almost slipped up against Tamworth, and at a few other clubs we’ve had non-league opposition where we’ve almost come a cropper – but touch wood it hasn’t happened so far.

“You’ve got to know what to expect. They’re gonna be in your face, giving it everything from minute one. It will be high-paced, high-tempo, lots of balls in the box, but if we do our own jobs right, we should come out on top.

“I think it’s the best cup competition in the world. I’ve played in it for a lot of years but you still sit down to watch the first round draw and get excited to see who we get. These ties are what the cup’s all about and it’s something to look forward to. For the likes of Dulwich, [the aim] is to get to round one and get a league team. For us to get to round three and hopefully get a big team is your aim, and see how far you can go.”

Dulwich are playing in the first round for the first time since 1998, while United are hoping to build on their last two results which have seen them take four points after a run of four straight league defeats.

Collin’s penalty save in last weekend’s 2-1 victory against Macclesfield was a major turning point and the keeper believes they can continue finding better form.

“It was a huge moment,” he said. “I’m not just saying that because I saved the penalty. If you go 2-0 down at home, it’s gonna be a horrible atmosphere out there to play in, and very, very tough to come back.

“I was just delighted I managed to save it, and then to go up the other end and score [the equaliser] before half-time was another massive moment.

“Coming from behind again was very encouraging. We probably did have a little bit of a dip in confidence – that’s just natural with the results – but there’s good character in the dressing room.

“We had a young team out on the pitch, so for them to show that amount of character to turn it around, when there were a few moans and groans from the crowd – and rightly so - was very impressive.

“After the game in the dressing room we said it’s time now to get our foot down and try to get some positive results together, get ourselves in the next round of the cup and up the league as well.”

Collin, meanwhile, has admitted he is impressed with 17-year-old Branthwaite’s emergence in a young defensive unit.

“It was quite an inexperienced back four [against Macclesfield] and it was a case of doing plenty of talking, keeping them organised,” he said.

“I spoke to the gaffer about how well the two centre-halves did – it’s great to see those two taking their chance in the team and looking comfortable.

“Me and a few of the boys who were here last year spoke about Jarrad, said how well he was doing and what huge potential he had. I think he’s got a massive future in the game.”