ALRESFORD Town are banking on their lucky charm Tom Ashton to help them over the disappointment of Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup exit at home to Cadbury Heath.

Right-back Ashton has gone 18 months as an Otterbourne and Alresford player without tasting defeat.

He missed Saturday’s game to go to his mum’s wedding, but will be back on duty tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) when the Magpies host Eastleigh in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup second round.

The tie has been switched to Arlebury Park because Eastleigh are working on their pitch and Alresford boss Richard Luffman is praying the National League giants will rest star players ahead of Saturday’s big home showdown with Paul Doswell’s Sutton United.

There are two of Doswell’s nephews in the Alresford squad – Sam, a defender, and Luffman’s assistant manager Ryan.

And, at the risk of riling tomorrow's visitors, the Magpies boys will be rooting for Sutton on Saturday.

“I’m an Eastleigh lad, but we’ve got a lot of Sutton links,” said Luffman. “Paul and Bairdy [Us’ coach Ian Baird] did a training session with us before our FA Cup tie against Wimborne and Stuart Munro, our chairman, is Sutton’s main sponsor.

"Also, Sutton's young striker Tommy Wright (currently on loan at Salisbury) is one of our lads.

"They’re our second side after Saints.

“I’ve been trying to find out how difficult our task is going to be against Eastleigh tomorrow and I’m told we could face three or four with Football League experience,” added Luffman.

“They’re more than welcome to bring all their kids if they like!

“We’ve got Tom Ashton back and we never lose with him in the side. At Otterbourne last season we lost four games and he wasn’t involved in any of them.

“Every holiday he takes coincides with a defeat, so we’re going ban him from going!” he laughed.

Luffman struggled to crack a smile on Saturday as the Magpies leaked three sloppy goals in a disastrous 15-minute first-half spell to bow out of the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage.

Tom Sands made it 3-1 and Alresford had a couple of strong penalty claims ignored, but Luffman lamented an under-par performance.

“I’m gutted,” he confessed. “No disrespect, but they’re the poorest side we’ve played in the Cup. Fareham were better, Wimborne were much better and even Bridport who we beat in the extra preliminary round.

“We dominated the first 15 minutes, they went three up between 15 and 30, then we were on top again. Our finishing was appalling and all three goals came from our mistakes.”

New signing Rob Flooks is ineligible to play tomorrow, but the ex-Winchester City centre-back should make his debut at Cowes Sports in the FA Vase on Saturday.