‘We were an old school Crazy Gang-type of side – horrible to play against’ – Shaun Wilkinson recalls Hawks’ famous cup win against Notts County

But Shaun Wilkinson believes his old club will have to adopt a different formula in a bid to secure another cup upset over the National League Magpies for a second time in the club's history this weekend.

Former Brighton and Weymouth midfielder Wilkinson was part of the Hawks team that ran out 1-0 FA Cup second round victors at Meadow Lane in December 2007 - the only previous meeting between the teams.

It's a day he looks back on fondly as the club reached the third round of the famous competition for the first - and so far only - time in their history.

When casting his mind back to that afternoon in the east Midlands - and the squad in the 2007-08 season - there is one thing that sticks out for Wilkinson.

The Baffins Milton Rovers boss recalls that group as being 'horrible to play against' - likening them to the notorious Wimbledon ‘Crazy Gang’ from the 1980s which boasted characters such as Vinnie Jones, Dennis Wise and John Fashanu.

Wilkinson believes that was a major factor in Hawks eventually reaching the fourth round at Anfield after overcoming Notts and then three tiers higher Swansea City

‘I look at teams playing at that level now, in my opinion they look like a team of boys but we had a team of men,' said Wilkinson.

‘We were horrible to play against, we were like the old school Crazy Gang-type of side.

‘We had two good forwards in Rocky Baptiste and Richard Pacquette and we just used to grind it out and work hard for each other.

‘In that cup run we had some real good performances away and Notts County was one of the better ones.

‘They were (surprised by Hawks).

‘A lot of teams underestimated us, but we could mix it with anyone.

‘We weren’t afraid of anyone, and I’d say we were a horrible team to play against.

‘We were in your faces, we worked hard. We put it in behind and we had good quality and pass going forward.

‘We always knew if we could keep it tight at the back we could always nick a goal.'

Hawks left it late, but they did just that - Tony Taggart grabbing an 87th minute winner to spark wild celebrations.

Football at the lower levels might have changed since their last meeting and Hawks' playing approach is likely to be a little different.

Yet Wilkinson insists Paul Doswell's side will be 'fancying' themselves to secure the same result as the club did 14 years ago.

He added: ‘They’ve obviously had the Covid situation, the chairman’s not been very well - I’ve got a lot of time for Derek Pope - I’ve worked with Ian Baird (Hawks assistant manager) at Eastleigh so I know Bairdy quite well.

‘Havant will more than fancy their chances.

‘It’s difficult but you’ve probably got to say without the fans at the minute then it’s favouring the away team.

'They’ll fancy themselves, Havant, they’ve got some good players in their team and you probably wouldn’t say the budgets are miles off and the quality of the players.'