BILLY Knott says heading into a big FA Cup clash with Dover Athletic next Saturday with momentum will be crucial to Concord Rangers’ hopes of progression.

The Beach Boys will host the National League’s second from bottom side in the final qualifying round of the competition next weekend.

Concord have won their last three in all competitions and have returned to form following a five match run without victory.

And Knott says a positive result against Oxford City this weekend will be important when it comes to facing Dover.

“We want a good run of form ahead of the Dover game,” said the 25-year-old. “The FA Cup run broke up our poor run before and if we can get a good result on Saturday that will help us looking forward.

“A run of home games helped us overcome that spell but we need to win away as that was where we were coming unstuck.

“My brother [Sammy] has spoken to me about this round of the competition and he said it is like a cup final for non-league teams.

“It will be tough as they are a league above us but we thought if we could avoid Leyton Orient or one of the teams at the top of the division then we felt they were all winnable. It is a one-off game and we are capable of progressing.”

Knott has played in big FA Cup ties before, beating Chelsea while at Bradford City in 2015.

But he says he is not underestimating the size of the challenge or the significance in reaching the first round with his boyhood club.

“It is a different feeling as you want to play a lesser team in a game that’s more winnable so you can progress to these rounds,” said Knott.

“When I was at Bradford you often only had to win one game before you drew a big team in the next round but we are at that stage now. Getting through these rounds can make a lot of money for the club. It brings more people through the gate and I am getting the same buzz this year.”

Concord will fancy their chances against Oxford this weekend, with City just two places above the relegation places.

But Knott, who joined the club on a short-term deal in the summer, is taking nothing for granted.

“Things can change quickly in this league,” he said. “A couple of wins either way can make a big difference as to whether you are looking up or down the table. It is important not to get too high when you win or too low when you lose.

“I think the play-off chase will go right until the end of the season so we need to keep plugging away.”