ADAM Peek is eager to guide Southend Manor into the preliminary round of the FA Cup tonight.

The Essex Senior League outfit were held to a goalless draw by Long Melford at Southchurch Park on Saturday and the two sides will meet again in an extra preliminary round replay.

Peek has backed his side to progress if they play in a similar fashion to their second half performance in the original tie.

“The wind made it pretty much unplayable on Saturday and both teams played better against the wind,” said the Manor boss.

“We were atrocious in the first half and so I gave the players a kick up the backside at half-time.

“The second half performance was much better and we created lots of great chances but didn’t take them.

“Jacob (Adams) made a great save in the 94th minute and so, although we deserved the win, you can’t afford to play well for just 45 minutes.

“If we replicate our second half performance then I am confident that we will go through.”

Long Melford, who ply their trade in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, will be looking to make home advantage count when they welcome Manor to Stoneylands.

And, despite going head-to-head just four days ago, Peek insists it is difficult to work out how Long Melford will approach the encounter.

Peek added: “They are well-organised and a good defensive unit.

“They get the ball down and try to play, so we know a little bit more about them.

“But it’s very difficult to judge them when they are potentially having to change how they play because of the conditions.”

The winners of tonight’s replay will claim £2,250 in prize winnings and a preliminary round home tie against Colney Heath.

But Peek may be forced into making some changes.

“Because of the replay being arranged at such short notice, some of my players are unable to get the time off work,” admitted Peek.

“That will result in us having to make some adjustments, but we’ll decide on the starting line-up when we get there.

“I may make one or two changes but, after seeing how we performed in the second half, I’m tempted to remain as close to the same as possible.”