Nick Smart has called on Ashton & Backwell United to "enjoy every moment" during their FA Cup tie with Ardley United at The Lancer Scott Stadium this Saturday.

It will be the club's first game in the oldest national football competition in the world since the 2016-17 season when they took on Clevedon Town at The Everyone Active Stadium, which ended in a 2-1 win for The Seasiders, in the extra preliminary round.

"There are a lot of people who will never get a chance to play at this level (Toolstation Western League Premier Division) let alone to play in the FA Cup, you have just got to go along with the ride and enjoy every moment of it and we will do that," said Smart.

"If we are lucky enough to get the right result this weekend, so be it."

Reserves manager Smart was on first-team duty at Keynsham Town after manager Charlie Rich and assistant Richard Earrey both left the club ahead of The Stags first league game of the season at Keynsham Town, which ended in a 3-0 loss.

He was supported in the dugout by fellow assistant Mike Radnadge and caretaker manager Matt Southern.

Southern added: "We have a better idea after talking between the three of us about how we want to set out, how we want to play now and we need to get the lads together on Thursday, have the conversation and everybody buy into it. That's the most important thing."

A&B's game with Keynsham was the club's first ever in the Premier, which Smart called a 'proud moment' and saw them create 'a bit of history'.

Goals from George Rooke, Will Hailston and Harley Purnell handed Town the win, but the Stags duo were left pleased with the side's performance.

Smart added: "As a squad, every player will have their part to play as they normally do. We’ve had some of these lads with us since the age of 18, they are phenomenal, they have stuck by us and they are getting better and better every season and the attitude is spot on."

Southern continued: “It just shows we have a club spirit that’s been the firsts, the reserves and everyone is pulling together. It’s a difficult time at the moment.

"If everyone sticks to it and is committed and buys into it then I think we have a chance of staying up. That’s what we want to do and that’s being realistic as well. That’s our goal and if we can stay in this league that would be fantastic."