MICHAEL Flynn knows exactly how it feels to be the victim of a giant-killing in the FA Cup as a player and he’s in no mood to repeat the experience as manager of Newport County AFC this weekend.

County thrived as the underdogs in last year’s competition, beating League One Walsall and Championship Leeds United before taking Premier League Tottenham Hotspur to a Wembley replay in the fourth round.

But the boot is on the other foot on Saturday when they travel to Surrey to take on Metropolitan Police FC of the Southern League Premier Division South.

It’s a potentially tricky tie that brings back bad memories for Flynn.

He’s still haunted by being dumped out of the world’s oldest cup competition by Burscough of the Unibond League Premier Division when he was playing for League One Gillingham in November 2005.

And he’s determined not to be the victim of another big upset with the Exiles.

“The beauty of the FA Cup is that Metropolitan Police get a chance to be giant-killers,” said Flynn.

“It sounds a bit strange saying Newport County are giants but, in the grand scheme of things, we are [compared to them].”

Gillingham were in a similar position 13 years ago when they travelled to Burscough with Flynn lining up alongside current County man Andrew Crofts in midfield.

“I know what it feels like,” recalled Flynn. “It was 1-1 when I got sent off and we ended up losing 3-2.

“I was planning to stay up north but after that I was made to get on the coach and go all the way back to Gillingham with my head between my legs.

“The manager Ronnie Jepson said ‘no chance, get on the coach – you’re in tomorrow’ so that wasn’t very good.”

South Wales Argus:

RED: Flynn dismissed at Burscough in 2005

And Flynn knows that his side must approach tomorrow’s tie with their usual professionalism if they are to avoid an infamous defeat.

“It’ll be a test of character for us,” said the Exiles boss.

“We’re Newport County and we’ve got no divine right to just turn up and win a football match.

“We’ve got to do the ugly part, do the basics, players have got to listen to instructions and we’ve got to prepare for every game like we’re playing the team top of the league.

“Anybody who thinks we’re just going to turn up and win the game won’t be playing. There’s not a chance of that happening.

“We know how easy it is for upsets to happen in the FA Cup because we did it last season by beating Leeds and holding Tottenham.

“We won’t be taking anything for granted.

“Any team you play against you need to do the basics,” he added. “You have to out-work them, out-fight them and be courageous on the ball.

“They’re going to be up for it and it’s going to be a lively start, we know that.

“But I’m confident that we’ll be up for it as well.

“We’ve got a good group and they know what it means to the football club in terms of finances.”

First-round winners earn £36,000 from the cup prize fund and move one step closer to a potential shot at the big boys in round three.

“We know the importance of the financial side to the club,” said Flynn.

“That’s where we’re at and any extra money that we can bring into the club is a positive.

“And if we win and we get to the third round then we’ll have a chance of a giant-killing if we get a good draw.”