Cambridge United boss Richard Money has urged his players to treat Saturday's FA Trophy opponents Eastleigh as if they were a Conference Premier side.
The two sides lock horns in the Fourth Round on Saturday, with them both flying high in their respective divisions.
Money's charges are in second place in the Conference Premier, while Eastleigh occupy the same position a tier below in the Conference South.
Eastleigh v Cambridge United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Fourth Round
Saturday 1 February 2014
Silverlake Stadium
Winners receive £8,000
Despite a 2-1 reverse at home to Grimsby Town on Tuesday night, Cambridge will go into the fixture following a superb run of form, with just two defeats in eleven matches in all competitions.
Likewise, Eastleigh have tasted defeat only twice in 14 outings since the start of November.
As such Money knows his side will be in for a tough test as they look to advance to the Semi-Finals of the competition.
He said: "We just consider them a team in our league. They've got a team full of players from the league above. They would compete in our league with no problem.
"Apart from maybe Grimsby away, this is the hardest tie in the round, no question. And they appear to be very up for it. As we will be of course.
"But we're expecting nothing other than a really tough fixture. And one that we can lose as well as win."
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
The U's are potentially just three games away from turning out under the famous arch at Wembley Stadium and the manager admits excitement is rising within the Cambridge ranks.
He told Cambridge-news.co.uk: "I think the closer that Wembley comes, the more excited everybody becomes.
"But we haven't approached any other tie that we've played in this competition in any other way, other than we've gone out to try to win. We'll do the same on Saturday."
