ALEX REID insists tonight's FA Cup third round tie against West Ham United is a "free hit" for Stockport County.

David Moyes' Premier League side will be favourites to progress in the competition at Edgeley Park but former Wrexham striker Reid says the non-league outfit are not there just to make up the numbers and are capable of upsetting the odds.

“It is going to be exciting just to experience it,” said Reid.

“It is a free hit for us because we are expected to get beat four or five nil so the pressure is all on them to deliver.

“It is up to us to enjoy it and give it our best shot, and stranger things have happened than us beating West Ham.

"It will be good to test myself against Premier League defenders, go out there with no fear and full of confidence, and see if I can get a goal against a Premier League team and get ourselves into the fourth round."

Stockport's priority is trying to clinch promotion back to the Football League but Jim Gannon's side are eager to continue their cup adventure and secure a place in the fourth round.

“Our eyes are firmly on the league but it gives us a well earned break from the league, and the pressure that comes with that,” said Reid.“Realistically we are not going to win the FA Cup but you want to go as far as you can.

“We are still in all the cups and doing well in the league so why not keep going."

Reid, who has scored seven goals since joining Stockport in the summer on a one year deal, has had loan spells in the National League with Solihull, Fylde, Ebbsfleet and Dagenham as well as Wrexham.

The 25-year-old is benefitting from being settled.

“I am really enjoying my football and my time at Stockport,” said Reid.

“It’s been a difficult period for me because I have been floating around the league going here, there and everywhere on loan.

“When you are on loan, you are in one place for three or four months, you go back to your parent club and then you could be out somewhere else.

"It’s disruptive, it is better to have a home and play games, and I have done okay so far."