FA TROPHY opponents Dartford FC may be an unknown quantity to most of the Boston United squad, but keeper Paul Bastock knows exactly what to expect in Saturday's second round tie.

The Pilgrims and the Darts lock horns at Princes Park with a place in the last 16 of the competition at stake.

Dartford, currently in the Blue Square Bet South play-off zone, are favourites to progress at the expense of the inconsistent Pilgrims.

Keeper Bastock faced the Darts during his days at St Albans and admits he would take a draw and a replay, which would be staged at York Street on Tuesday (7.45pm).

"I've had two great games at Dartford, they're a very good footballing team. That is going to be one tough ask for us to go there and get anything," said United's record appearance holder.

"It's just going to be a great battle on the day and whoever has got the most determined 11 on the park will come out on top."

Saturday's contest should provide a fascinating insight into the respective merits of the Blue Square Bet North and South divisions.

Having played in both, Bastock says the southern section is a league for the footballing purists, but says the likes of Dartford have developed another side to their game in recent seasons.

"It's a lovely league to play in because it gives you time as a goalkeeper, instead of having the ball routed towards you all the time," said Bastock.

"Having played for all those years in the southern tier of this level, they play football to death.

"The route one approach is almost sinned upon. But a few sides have found out that if they want to get anywhere in the league, they have to adapt to certain styles.

"That is what Dartford have done this year. The two times I've played against them, they've played football, football, football. But they seem to have the other side to their game now.

"In this league (Blue Square Bet North) they just lump balls into the box generally.

"But this league is changing. Look at Stalybridge. They are trying to play football, which is good to see."

Bosses Jason Lee and Lee Canoville have done their homework on Saturday's opponents and watched Dartford's festive derby with Welling, which attracted a crowd of more than 2,500 to Princes Park.

"It will be a good test for us," said Lee. "I didn't see anything that should cause us any sleepless nights.

"They're a solid team and their position in the table proves that they're more consistent than we are."