LEISTON captain David Head is hoping the club's quartet of summer signings from AFC Sudbury will bring some vital experience of knock-out football to today's massive FA Cup clash at Victory Road.

LEISTON captain David Head is hoping the club's quartet of summer signings from AFC Sudbury will bring some vital experience of knock-out football to today's massive FA Cup clash at Victory Road.

The 29-year-old defender - along with Stuart Boardley, Brett Girling and Shane Wardley - were persuaded to drop down a tier of non-league football in the summer to join Ridgeons League Premier Division side Leiston from AFC Sudbury.

Head admits it was a tough decision to make, but already the switch is looking vindicated after Leiston's storming start to the season.

He said: “Leaving Sudbury was extremely difficult. I took ages thinking about it, but the major factor was Sudbury's move to a midlands league. I have a young family and I just couldn't justify the extra travelling.

“A few Ridgeons League clubs showed some interest in me but what attracted me about Leiston was their ambition and the players they were looking at.”

Today the on-fire Suffolk side, who have been free-scoring early on in this campaign, host struggling Blue Square Premier side Lewes in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

Victory would put Carl Chenery's side in the first round of the competition for the first time in the club's 127-year history and in the hat with League One giants such as Leeds United.

With Lewes four steps above Leiston in the non-league pyramid the hosts are very much the underdogs, however, Head is hoping that his experience of cup football with AFC Sudbury - the club having made it to the final of the FA Vase three times while he was there - will give his side an extra edge today.

“The cup runs myself and the other former Sudbury players have experienced can only help,” said Head. “We know what playing in these type of games is all about and hopefully we can help ease the nerves of some of our younger players on the day.

“As well as the Vase runs I've lost in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup twice before so hopefully it will be third time lucky with Leiston.

“They (Lewes) are four steps above us so they are obviously going to have some very good players but, although we can't afford to underestimate them, we are going into the game high on confidence.”

Tickets can still be bought on the gate for today's game priced £8 adults and £4 concessions. Fans will also be able to get their photograph taken with the FA Cup prior to kick-off, while highlights of the match will be shown later this evening on ITV.