Hakan Hayrettin is demanding ‘heart and desire’ from his Braintree Town players when they look to make FA Cup club history on Saturday.

The ‘potential banana skin’ that could await his Iron side when they host Eastbourne Borough in the first round proper at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium (kick-off 3pm) means manager Hayrettin won’t be resting on any laurels and will demand a professional performance from his players.

Braintree have bowed out at the first-round stage in each of the last four years when they have always come up against Football League opposition.

As the higher-placed side in the non-league football structure and the hosts this time, though, Braintree will start as favourites against their Vanarama National League South visitors.

But Hayrettin knows Eastbourne will be fired up to cause an upset to deny the Iron a first-ever place in the FA Cup’s second round.

“Saturday won’t be easy,” said Hayrettin.

“People may think it’s a home draw against a lower-league side but don’t be fooled by that.

"It’s a situation I’ve always hated as a player and as a manager because of the potential banana skin result and people evaluating potential scenarios even before a ball has been kicked.

“So I try to block it out and get on with the job.

“We will be ready and we have to show the same heart and desire that we have been showing.”

Eastbourne come into the game on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.

That run has included a fourth qualifying round win against another National League side – Aldershot Town – that earned them the first-round tie at Braintree.

Braintree, meanwhile, take some inconsistent form into the fixture.

While they have enjoyed rousing wins against Bromley and Woking in recent weeks, last weekend’s league defeat by Solihull Moors was a disappointment.

The Iron dominated the game, but paid the price for not taking their chances in front of goal when an 85th minute penalty saw Solihull sneak a 1-0 victory.

It was a bitter blow that took the Iron back into the National League’s bottom three but Hayrettin isn’t worried that setbacks like that are having an impact on his players’ confidence.

He added: “I believe that confidence is one million times better than when I came in.

“We now know we can win games and we don’t go into games thinking we’re going to lose.

“Look at the games against Boreham Wood, Woking, York and Bromley – all of them had unbelievably positive performances in the second half.

“So there’s no chipping away of confidence and I believe we will get it right.

“However, if you make mistakes like we have been, then it will be much harder.

“There is no panic from me and no sense of doom and gloom.

“We knew the rules when we came in and the boys have done everything right.

“Unfortunately we gave away a penalty on Saturday but it happens and no one sets out looking to do that.

“There is still a smile on their faces and I feel they are getting better with every game.

“I’m just trying to target getting them to believe in themselves and be better as a team.

“Nothing will change and I think consistency will fall into place so it’s important that we all stay together.”