IT WOULD be ironic if Ernie Howe's side were to kick-start their season again by gaining revenge over Lewes.

Lewes triumphed 3-1 in the Conference South play-off in May on a bleak night at the Camrose - one that doomed Town's season to failure as they missed out on their objective of gaining a place in the new setup.

The later fortune of Hendon's withdrawal and Town taking their place has been well documented, but the team certainly owe their South coast visitors one for the punishment suffered five months ago.

Tomorrow's game between the two sides at the Camrose is in the Nationwide Conference's Carthium Cup preliminary round.

The Carthium Group's three-year sponsorship of the competition, which will be played on a regional basis in the early rounds, is the largest for a cup competition outside the FA and Football League cup competitions.

Town assistant manager Pete Peters said: "It's evenly matched and a good game to have. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

"Like us, Lewes have been struggling in recent weeks and lost to Bracknell in the FA Cup, so they'll be looking at it the same way we are - as a chance to get going again."

Howe watched Lewes lose 2-1 to Havant and Waterlooville on Monday night and said they didn't play especially well.

But the Town ranks will not be treating the game lightly because there is form and confidence to be regained - as well as a financial incentive for progressing.

Peters said: "We haven't got the details yet but, because it's the best sponsored cup competition outside the Football League, a fair bit of cash has been invested in it.

"It would certainly help if we could win after the disappointment of missing out in the FA Cup."

On the playing front, Sergio Torres has this week been suffering from mild flu, while Gary Haylock, who came on for the last 13 minutes against Eastbourne in Saturday's 2-0 defeat, could be in line for a start up front.

Peters said: "Martin Whiddett turned his ankle over in training on Tuesday, while Neville Roach has very sore feet arches.

"It may be that we have to rest one of them, giving Gary a start, but they are all things we will be deciding after the training session on Thursday.

"There were a few training ground knocks too on Tuesday, but we just hope everyone is okay.

"We won't be treating it as an experimental game, making unnecessary changes.

"It's important that we stick together and get a result from this game."

If Town win, they will play Havant in the next round. Meanwhile, Town's Hampshire Senior Cup game away against Horndean has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 2.