Gillingham’s former player Tim O’Shea hoping to cause an upset when his Cray Wanderers team take on League One highflyers Stockport County in the FA Cup first round at Flamingo Park this Sunday

Former Gillingham player Tim O’Shea is preparing to lead Cray Wanderers into the FA Cup first round for the first time in their 166-year history.

O’Shea played more than 100 games for the Gills between 1989 and 1992 before ending his playing career at Welling United. On Sunday, in front of the live cameras, his Isthmian Premier side host League 1 high-flyers Stockport County.

O’Shea, 59, was initially assistant boss to another former Gillingham player, Neil Smith, before taking charge in March last year. His assistant manager is former Gills boss Mark Stimson.

They’ve been on a thrilling run to get this far, including a shock win over Maidstone United in the second qualifying round.

A home victory over Chippenham Town took them to the final qualifying stage, where they needed another replay against higher-ranked opposition Bedford Town. The teams met at Cray’s Flamingo Park with the first-round draw already made and the then highest-ranked side in the competition, Stockport, awaiting the winners.

The match went the distance, finishing 2-2 and going down to penalties, where Jakob Lowe scored the crucial spot-kick.

O’Shea said: “We’ve got delivery drivers in the team, PE teachers, and they all do other bits and pieces. In the lead-up to the game we get four hours maximum with the players to prepare for Stockport, and I imagine they will have four days!

“I know the players are buzzing for it, and I am sure there will be a few haircuts and sunbeds for them and I know they will give everything.”

Cray were given a breather in the week by the league, with their match away to Dulwich Hamlet postponed.

Lowe is an injury doubt. He also scored the winning penalty during a shoot-out to decide their FA Trophy third qualifying-round