Havant & Waterlooville manager Shaun Gale believes the exploits of his FA Cup minnows have brought some of the magic back to this season's competition.

The Blue Square South side travel to Anfield to take on five-time European champions Liverpool tomorrow in one of the biggest FA Cup mismatches of all time.

But Gale insists his collection of plumbers, plasterers and bin men have proved the romance of the cup remains as strong as ever.

"If there was any doubting the FA Cup then we have kicked that into touch this season, we've re-ignited it," said Gale, whose side beat Notts County and Swansea to earn their fairytale fourth round clash.

"For the non-league circuit it's just fantastic. It shows how important the FA Cup is for non-league clubs because these sorts of things can happen."

Assistant manager Charlie Oatway never reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in a professional career spanning 13 years with Cardiff, Torquay, Brentford and Brighton.

Oatway, who is still playing despite quitting the Seagulls in August after a two-year injury battle, suddenly finds himself facing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard.

"We never had much luck in the FA Cup at Brighton and now it's happened at Havant & Waterlooville - it's amazing really," said the 34-year-old.

"This achievement couldn't happen to a nicer club. There have been grown men crying, that's what it means to people."

The Hawks, who are using Manchester United's training facilities ahead of the match, will be without suspended full-backs Justin Gregory and Brett Poate.

Gregory's plight made headlines this week when the FA doubled his one-match ban - for collecting five yellow cards - after accusing Havant of rearranging their league game with Thurrock specifically so he could serve his suspension.

To add insult to injury, the Thurrock game had to be abandoned due to floodlight failure, so he would have missed the trip regardless.

"I'm absolutely gutted, but you also have to keep things in perspective," he said. "Nobody died and it gives someone else the chance to play at Anfield."

Poate is suspended after being sent off during the 1-1 draw with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, although he was able to play in the replay which Havant won 4-2 to set up the Anfield tie.

Gary Elphick, Craig Watkins, Chamel Fenelon and Charlie Henry are cup tied.