DEBENHAM Leisure Centre manager Mel Aldis today had a message for cup sensations Leiston.“We will not lie down and die,” said Aldis of his side's chances in tomorrow's FA Vase second round game at FA Cup heroes Leiston.

Elvin King

DEBENHAM Leisure Centre manager Mel Aldis today had a message for cup sensations Leiston.

“We will not lie down and die,” said Aldis of his side's chances in tomorrow's FA Vase second round game at FA Cup heroes Leiston.

“I feel sorry for Leiston having to play little us after the glory they have experienced so far this season.

“It will bring them down to earth and it would be the shock of the round if we were to grab a victory.

“We have got to believe and hope it will be one of our lucky games and that a couple of their players have an off day.

“We lost 3-0 at Leiston in the Vase last season - and to be fair it could have been seven.

“Having got through three rounds we were looking for a home tie we could win. It could not have been worse.”

Leiston replay Blue Square North Fleetwood on Tuesday to earn a place in the second round of the FA Cup and a home match against Brighton or Hartlepool.

Could Leiston have the minds on other things tomorrow? Aldis thinks not.

He explained: “You have to admire what they have achieved in the Cup, it has been magnificent.

“But they realise that they have a realistic chance of getting to Wembley Stadium in the Vase, and I would make them one of the favourites.

“They will be up for the game tomorrow although unlike their FA Cup games the pressure will be on them this time.”

Debenham, who were still playing junior football five years ago, welcomed back assistant manager Ian Gedny in Tuesday's goalless Ridgeons League, First Division draw against Ipswich Wanderers.

The experienced prolific scorer will be in the squad tomorrow, but unlikely to start beside the division's leading scorer Stuart Jopling who recently turned down an offer to return to Needham Market.

Aldis has a full squad to select from although Paddy Turley is suffering from sciatica. “We know how to deal with that as my grandmother used to suffer from it,” quipped Aldis, who praised the performances of the experienced midfielder Dale Vince, who had lengthy spells at both Bury Town and Diss Town.

Needham start their Vase campaign after being seeded to this stage when they entertain Northampton Spencer at Bloomfields.

Last season they missed out on a Wembley dream at the final hurdle losing out to the eventual winners Kirkham and Wesham in a two-legged semi-final. The second leg at Bloomfields was witnessed by a record gate of 1,375.

Manager Danny Laws is looking forward to the challenge once again. He said: “This competition is very important; our run last season gave the whole of the club a massive lift and put us on the footballing map.”

The epic run saw Needham drawn away from home five times in the first six rounds, with three of these matches going into extra time.

Laws added: “We are really looking forward to tomorrow's tie. Eleven of the players in the current 16 man squad played in the semi-final against Kirkham so they will be well drilled as to what is required.”