AFC Wimbledon secretary Trevor Williams says he is expecting "anything between 400 and 1,400" Dons fans to descend upon Dover's Hoverspeed Stadium on Saturday.

The FA Cup first qualifying round tie has stimulated big interest at both clubs and Dover are hoping for a gate in excess of 3,000.

The Cup seems to provide a special draw for AFC Wimbledon fans, with 3,095 watching their 3-0 win over Ashford Town in the preliminary round.

Mr Williams explained: "It's the FA Cup and Dover have a nice stadium and good pitch, and it's not the longest journey in the world from South London to Dover. Last season we took 1,500 to Herne Bay in the FA Vase."

Dover are appealing for more stewards to come forward for the game but have been advised by the police to introduce crowd segregation for the tie. Dons fans have been allocated the Dover End of the ground.

The clubs share the gate money equally, once 17.5 per cent VAT has been extracted, and a 3,000 gate would equate to around a £7,500 income for Whites. An additional £2,250 in prize money will go to the winners, while a replay -- which would take place next Tuesday -- would do Dover's finances no harm at all.

Although in a higher league, Whites will start as underdogs against the Ryman League Division One leaders, who have won seven of their eight league matches this season.

The Dons' main goalscoring threat is carried by Robert Ursell, who signed from the Minerva South Midlands League. Ursell plays tucked in behind the front two and has scored five goals this season.

This season is the Dons' first in the FA Cup since the club was formed in May 2002, when it became clear the existing Wimbledon FC would be franchised out to Milton Keynes.

Groundsharing at Kingstonian, they reached the last 16 of the FA Vase last season and won the Combined Counties League to boot. Promotion to Division One of the restructured Ryman League ensued, leapfrogging Ryman Division Two.

Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Leatherhead was AFC'S 70th consecutive league game without defeat.

Whites' caretaker manager Gary Whittle said: "Saturday is a massive game for the club and the town, and it should be a lovely occasion for all concerned. But to be honest, I am already looking ahead to some of the league games we have got coming up against teams who are aroundabout us in the league. They will be just as important as Saturday."

Whittle's one injury worry for Saturday concerns goalkeeper Paul Hyde, who had to be replaced by Pat Mullin near the end of Tuesday's game with a calf strain. Whittle described Hyde's chances of facing the Dons as "50-50".