Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard insists his side will not take their FA Cup first round opponents Northwich Victoria lightly tomorrow.

Wood will be the favourites to progress when they travel to the Northern Premier League Division One North leaders but Garrard is adamant his team will give them the respect they deserve.

The new Wood boss said: “We won’t take them lightly and we will be as professional as we can.

"They have to be given the respect they deserve for getting to this stage.

“Their league form is phenomenal and they have an unbelievable home record.

"That could play a massive part but if we play to our maximum then hopefully we can get through to the second round.”

Wood are aiming to reach the second round for only the third time and the first since the 1997-8 season.

The side are currently 20th in the National League but Garrard believes a positive result in the FA Cup can have a direct impact on their league form.

He said: “Winning is a habit and we need to start winning matches starting on Saturday.

"We need victories regardless of the competition.

“It is a distraction away from the league but hopefully a win in the cup can provide the catalyst to get our league form going in the right direction.”

Wood’s latest addition is Barnet utility man Mauro Vilhete after joining on loan for three months.

He has been with the club twice before and marked his return by scoring in Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Gateshead on Saturday.

Garrard said: “He made a huge impact. Mauro brings energy, pace and he knows the club which is a massive factor.

“He won the National League last season and has a lot of experience for a young man.

"He knows the personnel at the club and behind the scenes so he is a huge signing for us.”

Wood got off to a terrible start after goals from Gus Mafuta and Danny Johnson fired Gateshead into a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes.

But Billy Clifford’s penalty and substitute Vilhete’s 75th minute strike levelled the game.

Gateshead reclaimed the lead though as George Honeyman netted the winner two minutes later.

Garrard said: “When you have to score four goals to win at home that’s not good enough.

"I’ve looked back at the video and our shots to goal ratio isn’t good enough but the chances are coming.”