THE PREVIEW: East Thurrock drew 1-1 in south Wales on Saturday, with substitute Kris Newby salvaging a point for Rocks in the final 15 minutes.

The draw puts John Coventry’s men in a stronger position, with Merthyr now forced to make the return 220-mile journey tonight, on a pitch that will be far-cry from the 3G surface the Welsh side play on.

The winner of the tie will take on Maidenhead United in the first round, after the draw was made yesterday lunchtime.

WHAT HE SAID: Rocks manager John Coventry said: “We started well on Saturday which was important but they had a strong spell towards the end of the half where they hit the crossbar twice.

“I thought ‘here we go’ when they scored at the start of the second-half but Newby came on and got the goal and it was the first time we had really seen the Newby of old since he came back.

“I told them they would be playing on a different pitch to what they were used to, so that should work in our favour.”

FORM GUIDE: DWDLWW

TEAM NEWS: Sam Higgins and Kris Newby are likely to be on the bench, having just returned from spells on the side lines with injury. Harry Honesty left the club last week, after quitting non-league football.