JAKE LAWLOR helped pull off an FA Cup upset last season and he doesn't want to be on the receiving end this weekend.

National League leaders Wrexham face Weston-super-Mare in the first round at The Woodspring Stadium on Sunday.

It was at this stage of the competition 12 months ago that Guiseley, with Lawlor in the side, beat League Two high-fliers Accrington Stanley 4-3 on penalties after the game finished in a 1-1 draw to progress, current Reds' striker Mike Fondop converting the winning spot-kick.

Guiseley, relegated from the National League at the end of the campaign, reached the second round for the first time in their history, although their run was ended by Mansfield.

Lawlor, who joined Wrexham from Salford City in September, is eager to make sure lightening doesn't strike twice and that Weston, bottom of National League South, aren't celebrating a cup shock.

"We did well last year at Guiseley," said Lawlor.

"We managed to beat Accrington after going down to 10 men and it was the furthest Guiseley have even got but we lost to Mansfield in the second round.

"It was big cup shock for Guiseley because obviously we were struggling and Accrington were flying.

"It is a chance for Weston to beat a bigger team and we can't our foot off the gas against a team at a lower level than us on Sunday."

Weston expects underdogs Weston to be fired up but the centre-back says Wrexham will be ready for battle.

"The FA Cup puts it on a level playing field," said Lawlor.

"It is a massive game for them, sort of an FA Cup final, and we have just got to go into it like we would do any other game.

"We know they are going to be up for it, they are going to want to beat us and they will probably up their game a little bit.

"We have got to be ready for that, start nice and bright, start nice and sharp, and hopefully get through."

Wrexham stretched their unbeaten run to nine games after beating Gateshead 3-1 on Saturday, taking the Reds to the top of the table for the first time since the start of September.

Although maintaining the promotion challenge is the priority, Lawlor would like to embark on a cup run.

"It is the biggest competition in English football and it is good for lower level clubs to progress and go as far as they can," said Lawlor.

"We are doing great in the league and we want to continue that. But you want to win in the FA Cup to keep the wins going.

"The league is the bread and butter for us, we have got to concentrate on that and keep winning, but it will be great for the club to progress as far as we can.

"For the players, there is no better feeling than getting further in the FA Cup and we want to do that on Sunday."

Wrexham are in a rich vein of form but Lawlor has welcomed being involved in the cup rather than in league action.

"I don't think the cup is a distraction," added Lawlor.

"We haven't had a midweek game so we have had plenty of rest; we will go into the game and hopefully progress into the next round."