Paul Simpson says Carlisle United can forget about an FA Cup run if they repeat last weekend’s performance at Leyton Orient on Saturday.
The manager says a showing like his side produced at Cambridge United will get the Blues nowhere.
United are preparing for their third long trip in successive weekends when they head to Brisbane Road for their first round tie.
Simpson is keen to go on a cup run but only by improving their levels will Carlisle stand a chance, he stressed.
“I think we’ve had some horrendous draws in cup competitions, horrendous draws for us and for the supporters,” said Simpson.
“This is another one because of the travel, but it’s a game where – as I think we showed against Orient in the league recently – we can certainly compete against them.
“But we can’t compete like we did [last weekend] because we’ll end up out of the FA Cup in the first round, and I want to give us the best chance of reaching the second round.”
Carlisle’s meeting with the Os comes just three weeks after they faced Richie Wellens’ side at Brunton Park.
The Cumbrians went down to a 1-0 defeat to their League One rivals, who are currently 12th in the table.
United will be hoping for better fortunes in east London and will be out to maintain a strong recent record in the famous competition’s first round.
Not since 2014’s 2-1 defeat at Peterborough United have the Blues failed to make their way through the first round.
Since then they have defeated Plymouth Argyle, St Albans City, Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, Dulwich Hamlet, Hayes & Yeading, Horsham and Tranmere Rovers at this stage of the cup.
United’s record at Orient’s ground is, in recent times, better than their fortunes when the clubs meet at Brunton Park too.
While Carlisle have failed to win any of their last eight encounters in Cumbria, they have won four of their last six meetings at Brisbane Road.
Simpson will be without the suspended pair of Alfie McCalmont and Jack Armer this weekend.
Left-back Armer’s absence could open the door for Jack Robinson to make a rare start.
McCalmont’s absence from the squad, meanwhile, could allow fit-again Dylan McGeouch to return from injury, with captain and defender Paul Huntington also aiming to be available after a calf problem.
Simpson has also been assessing Fin Back after the on-loan Nottingham Forest right-back pulled out of last Saturday’s game at Cambridge in the warm-up.
Ben Barclay will again be on standby to start in his place, in a game which completes a 1,833-mile round trip for the Blues’ last three away games, following the league trips to Portsmouth and Cambridge.
It is only the second ever meeting between Orient and Carlisle in the FA Cup – the last coming in 1936 when United won 4-1 at Brunton Park in the second round against opponents who were then known as Clapton Orient.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here