THERE is nothing more certain in life than uncertainty and while Ian Britton writes off his side's chances tonight, all cup minnows cling to the hope of an upset, writes Derek Davis.

THERE is nothing more certain in life than uncertainty and while Ian Britton writes off his side's chances tonight, all cup minnows cling to the hope of an upset, writes Derek Davis.

The Kidderminster Harriers boss is hoping for shock win for the Third Division club to boost his coffers considerably.

His playing budget is £600,000 for the season, believed to be equivalent to Andy Marshall's wages, so a move into the second round, for the first time in their very short league history, would be a massive bonus.

But Britton is also a realist and even though he has a full-strength squad to choose from now that Adie Smith and Matt Gadsby have been passed fit, he knows it is a big ask for his Division Three side.

He said: “We are not expected to win but we will be looking to give Ipswich something to think about. You never know, they may have an off day, and if we are at our best anything could happen.

“As long as we come away with our heads held high I will be happy.”

Harriers lost 4-0 at Nottingham Forest last year in the first round and for a club whose average attendance is around 3,000, progressing in the cup is vital. Britton added: “Getting through to the second round is all money in the kitty for us and we need every penny.”

A summer clearout paved the way for six new signings at the beginning of the month with journeyman forward John Williams arriving from Swansea City. The bustling striker gained the nickname the Flying Postman while at non-league Cradley Town as he worked for Royal Mail and was so swift he later won the official title of the league's fastest footballer while with the Swans.

He has since done the rounds with stints at Coventry City, Notts County, Stoke City, Wycombe Wanderers, Hereford United, Walsall, Exeter City, Cardiff City, York City and Darlington, all on his route to the Aggbrough Stadium.

Andy Bishop, who proved popular while on loan last season with five goals in 22 starts, has now made the move from Walsall, while former Wolves defender Kenny Coleman was another welcome addition.

Virtually all their goals come from Bo Henriksen, who won a Danish championship medal, and he knocked in the double which beat Mansfield on Saturday, and even though he is struggling with an ankle injury he is likely to start ahead of John Williams.

Harriers are skippered by another veteran traveller with the mighty Sean Flynn packing central midfield.

Town fans who like to keep an eye on Colchester United's fortunes will remember left-back Scott Stamps, who is now a regular with the Harriers after joining on a free from Layer Road in 1999.

Sam Shilton is another familiar name, if only because he is the son of Peter Shilton. The left-sided player started at Plymouth Argyle before moving on to Coventry City, Hartlepool and then Kidderminster.