Paddy Davitt Kidderminster boss Mark Yates insists his Blue Square Premier title contenders must be at full throttle to edge past King's Lynn in tomorrow's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie.

Paddy Davitt

Kidderminster boss Mark Yates insists his Blue Square Premier title contenders must be at full throttle to edge past King's Lynn in tomorrow's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie.

The ex-Birmingham and Cheltenham midfielder has fully briefed his men after a midweek spying mission to The Walks for Lynn's Blue Square North defeat against Tamworth.

"I've spoken to a lot of people so I know enough to realise King's Lynn are a decent side," said the 38-year-old. "They have some good players, the club is on the up and it will be a really, really difficult fixture. I've spoken to Lee Glover a few times in the past and know he is a very good coach.

"Tamworth were excellent first half, to be fair, and I know King's Lynn had one or two injuries. Maybe they will come back into the team so we are under no illusions.

"We have stressed to the lads what to expect and we have prepared properly - no doubt about that. We will put out the strongest side available. I only have a relatively small squad of 18 or 19 lads but anyone I select is more than capable of doing a job."

Yates spent four seasons as a player at Aggborough before taking control in January 2006. The Birmingham-born boss guided Kidderminster to the first FA Trophy final at the new Wembley a year later and admits the Harriers are desperate to uphold the club's proud cup tradition.

"This is a massive competition," he said. "You've seen down the years what can happen when you get through a few rounds and both teams will think the same with regard to the prestige and the finance. In the current climate the money you can earn is massively important to every club if you can progress.

"As a player I didn't really have any great runs. We beat West Brom one season at Cheltenham. I think I joined the club the year after they knocked out Birmingham and got to the fifth round against West Ham so we have a good pedigree and we want to try and keep that going."

Yates' believes Lynn have more than a fighting chance.

"We know what this competition is all about and people will be rooting for the underdog to win," he said. "You can talk about shocks but for me I don't think this would really be a shock. There's only a league difference between the sides.

"The majority of people might expect us to get through but you see it every year so it's up to us to avoid being on the wrong end of something like that."

The Knitters' chief is adamant a notable FA Cup run would not harm his side's Blue Square Premier promotion push. Yates' side currently sit only a point off the play-off spots after an impressive early season league campaign.

"We hoped before the start that we could be up and around it near the top," he said. "But our league is so competitive and no one looks like they will run away with at the minute. It's a decent start and we've given ourselves a shout. We've got some good players but we need to push on now. We would like to continue what we are doing in the league and marry that with a good cup run. King's Lynn will feel exactly the same so we know how difficult the game will be."

n Lynn yesterday completed a permanent deal for on-loan Rushden midfielder Scott Mitchell.

The 22-year-old has signed until the end of this season after a successful 11-game stint following his initial loan move from the Blue Square Premier outfit.

Mitchell started his career as a trainee at Ipswich before spells with Scottish Division One club Livingston and Peterborough.