St Albans City have been drawn away to Petersfield Town on Saturday, October 10 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. 

Joint manager James Gray said: “We would have preferred a home tie but it’s a team a league or two below us so on paper it’s a tie we’re looking forward to.”

Gray has warned his players he is prepared to undergo surgery to his squad if they do not improve on the pitch.

The Saints defeated Deal Town 2-1 at home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday but the manager was unhappy with their performance against the lower division Southern Counties East Football League club.

Gray said: “We got the win but the performance was nowhere near good enough.

“If it doesn’t improve over the next week to ten days then a bit of surgery may be needed.

The manager added: “We do not have the right balance to the side and the midfield are not moving the ball quickly enough.

“We’re 12 or 13 games into the season and I haven’t been comfortable with what we have achieved so far. If the players don’t bring their A game then I will be looking to make changes.

“It is a bit of a warning to the players because the fans need to be seeing more from the team especially from an attacking point of view.”