FA Cup: Wilkin gets his players prepared for big tie

Saints knocked out the League One outfit from the Emirates FA Cup at the same stage in 2013 and manager Kevin Wilkin will be hoping to repeat the feat tonight at St James Park.

Wilkin brought the players in for training on Tuesday evening to prepare for the first round replay and said: “It’s not a normal week due to the Wednesday fixture. It is a great tie for everybody and it’s an opportunity the players worked hard for.

“They got themselves two goals in front in that first game and now have to go and do it all again. We are respectful of the task ahead but if we play to the level we are capable of and put in a shift, we’ll give a good account of ourselves.

“This is a small club but the game will attract a big crowd. If we stay focused we have a chance.”

Gills manager Justin Edinburgh believes his side goes into the replay in a stronger position than before after consecutive wins, including Saturday’s 2-1 defeat of Northampton Town.

Edinburgh said: “It’s a really important fixture for us. The previous game gave us an insight into Brackley as a team and also their personnel.

“We know the expectation is for us to win and that’s no disrespect to Brackley but they led 2-0 so we know what they’re capable of. We know what the TV cameras are there for and we’ve got to make sure we’re not going to be that upset.”