ALAN Julian says the reward of an FA Cup first round appearance is motivation enough for Billericay against Taunton Town tomorrow.

The Somerset-based club travel to Billericay bidding to upset the odds and advance from the fourth qualifying round tie.

Julian will line up between the posts for Billericay against the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South’s second-placed team.

And he says Billericay will not take Taunton for granted, after the latter saw off National League South opposition in the last round.

“There is no easy game in football,” said the 35-year-old goalkeeper. “We will put in the hard work like we did against Whitehawk. We won that game 9-1 and people will think that game was easy for us but a lot of hard work went into getting that result.

“We know the reward of winning and it is a great opportunity for us. But it will be tough.

“I don’t know anything about Taunton but the manager [Dean Brennan] will give us a lot of information about the opposition. We will go over their strengths and we will be prepared.

“All managers do things different but I like to have plenty of information on the other team. You want to have anything that might give you an edge. Dean and [assistant manager] Stu [Maynard] will go over it all so it is in our hands.

“We wanted a home draw and we got that, although if we get through I wouldn’t mind Sunderland away!

“We will need our fans again tomorrow. They are great and they are our 12th man.”

Julian was sidelined earlier this month through injury - a rare occurrence for the fit veteran.

And he says he is pleased to be back and playing well, having scooped the man-of-the-match award against Gloucester City last weekend.

“I look after myself to prevent injury so to sit out was frustrating,” he said. “They were the first league games I have missed for the club but I can’t grumble.

“I was pleased with my involvement [last Saturday]. I barely touched the ball in the first half but I am always ready and I was busy after that. Sometimes it is the way of it. I just want to help the team.”