King's Lynn skipper Mark Warren is on a FA Cup mission to lift the club's Halesowen curse this weekend.

King's Lynn skipper Mark Warren is on a FA Cup mission to lift the club's Halesowen curse this weekend.

The British Gas Business Southern League, Premier Division leaders head to the Midlands searching for a first win in six meetings since returning to the Premier in 2004.

Tommy Taylor's men picked up a point at the Grove last season but normal service was resumed in an opening day horror show at The Walks - Lynn's only defeat of the new campaign.

“We've nothing to fear,” insisted Warren, who sat out August's 2-0 reverse through suspension. “That was just a bad day for everyone. I hear people say to me Halesowen is our bogey side, but I don't believe in bogey teams.

“The lads have gone 11 unbeaten, we are confident and you can see that in the way we're playing. If we perform then I expect us to get a positive result.”

Lynn could potentially face a solid month of cup football with next weekend's FA Trophy trip to Worthing a precursor to the next rounds of both knockout competitions over successive weekends.

“Personally, such a long break from the league wouldn't be ideal,” said Warren. “I don't think it's going to be a distraction, but with the way things are going we want the league games to come round quickly.

“The FA Cup is great for supporters and players. We'd definitely like to get through to the proper rounds and draw a football league club. I remember getting knocked out at Hendon for Leyton Orient and that wasn't a good memory. It doesn't matter who you face it can always be tough - Causeway proved that in the previous round.”

The experienced defender is confident Taylor has assembled a squad capable of firing on two fronts.

“The gaffer has added a couple of new faces recently and that just adds to the depth,” he said. “Everyone who has come in so far is performing. Young Charlie Defty showed a lot of heart and bravery when he stepped in the other day for Coops. We've got that strong nucleus. If we can stay relatively injury-free and clear of suspensions I think the team has a very good chance of automatic promotion.”

Warren is yet to suffer a competitive defeat since his summer arrival - capped by the impressive 3-0 win over championship rivals Mangotsfield last time out.

“I felt once we got the first goal we'd steamroller them and we did,” he said. “It was very cagey, both sides were sizing each other up - but we are not going to get too carried away. It's still early in the season. We need to stay focussed, remain concentrated and play every game like a cup final.

“I've been delighted with my own form. I said before it was an honour being made captain and if I'm contributing in some way it's nice to know people recognise that.”