STEPHEN Purches has warned his team-mates to expect a battle when Cherries try to reach the FA Cup second round at the second time of asking tonight.

Lee Bradbury’s men travel to League Two Gillingham (7.45pm) on the back of seven league games unbeaten on their travels.

But having allowed Gills to come from 3-1 down at Seward Stadium to secure a replay, Purches insists Cherries will have to be wary of their rivals’ refusal to wave the white flag.

The 31-year-old, who registered his first goal since returning to Dorset last season in the 3-3 draw on November 12, told the Echo: “It felt like a defeat. We played pretty well for the large majority of the game and it was silly to let them back in the way we did.

“We didn’t see it out, but we did see it out against Wycombe on Saturday and we can go into the game with confidence.

“Gillingham is always a tough place to go but we need to go there with confidence.

“We know it’s going to be a battle. A lot of teams at 3-1 down would have thrown in the towel but they didn’t. They didn’t have that many chances on the day, probably only five, and they scored three so they can obviously finish as well.

“We have to make sure we are alive to things around the box and we will have to dig in.”

Bradbury will be without cup tied Wes Fogden and Charlie Sheringham at Priestfield tonight, while loanees Jaime Peters (Ipswich) and Steve Cook (Brighton) have not been permitted to play in the competition by their parent clubs.

If Cherries can overcome Andy Hessenthaler’s men, they will travel to League One rivals Leyton Orient in the second round on December 3.

Purches, who spent three years in East London after leaving Cherries in 2007, added: “Orient are doing okay. I spent a good three years there and I wondered if it might happen when the draw was being made.

“We have to make sure we do a good job against Gillingham and, hopefully, we can take the form from our past three league games into that one.

“It’s a shame that the team has to change, but it’s an opportunity for others to come in. The main thing, though, is to keep this little run going.”

Gills, meanwhile, could be without midfielder Luke Rooney after the 20-year-old was axed from Saturday’s 2-1 League Two victory over Aldershot after refusing to sign a contract extension at Priestfield.

Gills: (from) Gazzaniga, Frampton, Martin, Lawrence, Fish, Jackman, Lee, Whelpdale, J Payne, Montrose, Oli, Kedwell, King, Essam, Rance, S Payne, Miller.

Cherries: (from) Flahavan, Francis, Zubar, Barrett, Cummings, Pugh, Arter, Purches, Malone, Thomas, Fletcher, Symes, Taylor, Molesley, Lindsay, Carmichael, Ward, Jalal.