SCOTT McManus is backing FC United to pull off another FA Cup giantkilling at Brighton.

The Rebels stunned Rochdale at Spotland in the first round of the famous competition. Now the Evo-Stik Premier League club travel to the Withdean Stadium to take on the League One leaders on Saturday.

And the former Prestwich Heys defender is confident FC can upset a team four leagues and 112 places above them.

“We’ve nothing to fear,” said McManus. “Nobody thought we could beat Rochdale and we did, so we will go there full of confidence. The bigger the team the better.”

Prestwich-born McManus spent two seasons with Heys before being signed for Crewe in the summer of 2008. He made six appearances for the Railwaymen before severing ties with the club for personal reasons.

After a spell out of the game, the 21-year-old returned to Heys for the final six matches of last season before joining FC in August.

McManus was outstanding at the heart of the defence in the dramatic 3-2 injury-time victory over Rochdale earlier this month.

FC have struggled since, however, losing four in a row following their cup heroics and are languishing third from bottom of the table. But McManus insists playing Gus Poyet’s men will suit FC.

“Playing in the FA Cup is totally different,” he said. “The style of football we play suits playing teams from the Football League because they give you more time on the ball..”

FC made more than £100,000 from their victory at Spotland due to TV revenues, gate receipts and prizemoney, and they could boost their coffers by a further £50,000 if they beat Brighton.

Karl Marginson’s side crashed out of two competitions in three days. They lost 2-1 at home to Hinckley United in the FA Trophy on Saturday before going down 3-1 at Ashton United in the Challenge Cup on Monday night.