Darlington manager Mark Cooper has warned his players to expect an upset if they do not respect their opponents when they travel to Mossley for their FA Cup fourth round qualifier today.

Quakers travel to the tricky surroundings of Seel Park to face a side three leagues below them in the Evo-Stik League First Division North but Cooper insists his side must not expect a walk-over.

“It’s a pitch with two goals on it with white lines and 11 against 11 so it doesn’t matter what the surroundings are like, you have to respect that,”

Cooper said.

“That’s where Mossley are and we will give them every respect in the world.

“We’ll analyse every player that they’ve got in their team.

We’ve watched them twice and we’ll prepare for it as if we were preparing for Wimbledon the Saturday after.

“It doesn’t matter what the standard is, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing against. If we go to Mossley and aren’t up for it we’ll get beaten, simple as that.

“If we go there and do it properly then we’ve got a chance of getting a result.

“We’ve watched them twice and we’ve had a report of their game against Shepshed on Saturday in the FA Trophy, which they won 4-1, and were very convincing.

“If we turn up there and don’t really fancy it there’s a big chance of an upset.

“I’m sure they’ll be rubbing their hands together, thinking it’s a great opportunity to cause an upset and rightly so.

“I know from experience that’s why upsets happen.

“The bigger teams think they should win and they don’t prepare properly or they don’t win the battle and they lose.”

Quakers’ boss has a good record in the competition after leading Kettering to the fourth round in 2009, when they faced Fulham.

A season later, his Peterborough side knocked out Hartlepool.

Despite his good record, Cooper said it will be different to go into a tie as favourites and knows too well upsets do happen.

“The boot’s on the other foot for me a little bit because we’re a so-called bigger club going to a smaller club on Saturday and I’ve seen it all before.

“If you’re not mentally right and up for the game you get beaten, so we’ve got to make sure we’re up for it.”

A run in the competition could reap benefits for the Quakers both on and off the field.

Cooper hopes a good win would help kick-start their season after a recent slump in form.

“That’s certainly what we’re hoping. We’re hoping to go there and do well and set ourselves up for a game against the team that are top of the league next week.

“It’s purely financial for any club. There’s prize money for this game and gate money.

“There’s also the chance of television games, so it is a real big money spinner if you get it right. Every club needs that.

“It would be nice to win and get through to the third round and get real big teams. That’s what you want.

“I think as much as you dress it up you’re always thinking it’s the FA Cup.

“You might get yourself on the TV and get yourself a move and things like that, but we’ve just got to try and take it one game at a time.”

Cooper made five changes for last week’s draw at Mansfield Town and will make more today due to several players being unavailable.

On-loan Liam Hatch has not been given permission to play by Peterborough, Jefferson Louis is cup-tied and Danny Powell is ill.

Paul Arnison is still not fit to return from injury but Michael Brough may make his first appearance of the season.

On the bench will be a new face after Quakers yesterday signed goalkeeper Christopher Oldfield.

The 19-year-old former Liverpool trainee has joined as cover and goes straight into the squad.

He had been with Chester of the Evo-Stik League First Division North and has joined on a non-contract basis.

Dan Lowson, meanwhile, who had joined Darlington on a non-contract deal, is set to join Luton on trial next week.