JAMES Dunne says Swindon Town can do no worse than look back at the blueprint for their FA Cup success over Dartford last season when they come up against non-league opposition again on Saturday.

Just as they did 12 months ago, Town begin their FA Cup campaign against opposition from the sixth tier of English football – this time at home to National League North side York City.

Then under the guidance of former manager David Flitcroft, Town produced a professional performance against the Darts to rack up a 5-1 win on the road.

That ended a dismal run for the club in the competition following five first-round defeats in succession, three of which came at the hands of non-league sides.

Town roared into a 3-0 lead at half-time against Dartford and scored twice more in the opening five minutes of the second period – and Dunne says Phil Brown’s current squad must again look to set the tempo early on against York to kill off the opposition’s hopes.

“We know what the FA Cup is like – teams from the lower divisions raise their games and want to be one of the sides that knock out a League team,” said midfielder Dunne.

“Last year we went to Dartford with a good attitude. I think they did start quite well and had a few chances, but then we got the goal and settled down a bit and it was 3-0 in the first half.

“We have just got to make sure we have the right attitude on Saturday and hopefully get a good result.

“I think York have been struggling a bit since they have got through to the first round, but that could be because they are waiting for their big tie.

“It is a nice stadium for them to come to and I am sure they will be up for it – just like we need to be and make sure we don’t have that cup upset.

“You know what is going to come from a team from the lower leagues. They are going to be on it from the first minute, and if they keep doing well, it is going to build and build for them in the game.

“We have all played in these types of games and you have to turn up. If you don’t turn up, they will beat you, and I am sure there will be a few shock results on Saturday.”

Given the nature of the opposition, Town boss Brown could well use Saturday’s match as a chance to get valuable first-team minutes into some of the younger members of his squad.

Scott Twine and Jordan Young both scored for Swindon in a behind-closed-doors friendly win at home to Southampton U23s in midweek, while Town’s U18 side earned their own cup progress last weekend with a 7-0 thumping of Moneyfields in the FA Youth Cup first round.

Dunne, who turned 29 back in September, is impressed by the talent coming through the ranks at the Energy Check County Ground.

“The young lads come across quite a lot and train with us,” said Dunne.

“They have got some very good players in there and they have got some good listeners as well.

“Sometimes young players come up and you want to try to tell them something and they go ‘whatever’, but this group listen and take it on board and they seem to be doing well.

“That is paying off where they get their chance to come up and train with us and they don’t look out of place.”