by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping for a confidence-boosting FA Cup victory against Dover.

The Gills take a welcome break from their troubles in League 2 and Hessenthaler is hoping a win over his former club in the first round proper on Saturday will give his side a welcome lift.

"Hopefully we can get a bit of confidence by getting a result," said Hessenthaler (pictured), whose side have registered just three wins from 15 games in the league.

"It’s a win-win game for Dover and we need to make sure we are not on the end of that banana skin. They will be looking at us and saying ‘we’ve got a good chance.’

"If we win, people will say ‘well, you’re playing Dover and they are two leagues below and are non-league and you should have won.’ The pressure is on us."

Hessenthaler’s side lost 2-0 at home to Wycombe on Tuesday night and left the field to jeers.

The Gills boss added: "Football is great when you are winning games and confidence is a lot higher. What do you do and how do you get that confidence back?

"You just keep working hard and you get a couple of wins, maybe a couple of ugly ones, and bring that confidence back."

Gills will be without Danny Jackman (ankle), Andy Barcham (ankle), Garry Richards (ankle), Simon King (ankle), Dean Rance (foot), Mark McCammon (ankle) and Curtis Weston (thigh).

How do you think Gills will fare against Dover? Have your say below.