Oxford City winger Jon Gardner is hoping to make it third time lucky when the British Gas Business Southern League underdogs take on Blue Square Premier Eastbourne Borough in Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Court Place Farm.

The 26-year-old has twice come close to reaching he first round proper.

He was part of the Thame United side that knocked then Conference South outfit Weymouth out of the Cup in 2004 in a third qualifying round replay. It saw Terras boss Steve Claridge lose his first job in management.

But their bid to make the next round ended when they lost 5-0 at home to Conference team Forest Green Rovers.

The same had happened the previous year when they beat Bath City 3-0 at the same stage, only to go out to Conference side Farnborough 2-1 at home in the fourth qualifying round.

Now Gardner is aiming to break that run and help Justin Merritt's team into the first round proper.

"I remember the Weymouth games and Steve Claridge and all that really well," said Gardner, who joined City last year from Banbury United.

"I scored in the first game when we drew 1-1 and then I got the winner when we played Weymouth at Thame.

"We lost to Forest Green and then we lost to Farnborough the next season, so I'm looking to make it third time lucky."

Gardner said he had no fears about facing the Sussex side in front of a big crowd on Saturday.

He added: "No one really knows too much about them, but if you play well against anyone, then you are going to give yourself half a chance. We don't have anything to lose.

"The pressure is all on Eastbourne. Everyone is quite excited by the Cup. We've got some young lads here and it's a good experience for them.

"I'm really looking forward to the game – if I'm selected of course.

"We had a good win in the FA Trophy against Aylesbury on Saturday and this match can't come soon enough.

"It's a long way for Eastbourne to travel and hopefully we can get a big crowd to come along. It's a one-off game and anything can happen.

"I've played in these types of game before and it doesn't really faze me.

"We played well against Aylesbury on Saturday and we have spent this week just building up to it, but now I just want to play!"