Gary Brabin (left) and Steve Fallon (right) lock horns for the first time

Cambridge United manager Gary Brabin has praised the progress of Histon ahead of Saturday's clash with his side's local rivals in the FA Trophy.

The two sides meet in the competition for the third time in three seasons at the Glass World on Saturday.

Brabin told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Histon have had a lot of stability over the years. It's taken time to build, but they've done well."

Histon lie second in the Blue Square Premier, four places above the U's.

Brabin says he appreciates the rivalry between the two sides, but will be approaching the Trophy match just like any other.

"I understand the importance of the local rivalry, but I just want to win football matches no matter who we are playing," he explained.

Histon have won the previous two Trophy meetings between the sides by an aggregate of 7-0.

And Stutes boss Steve Fallon wants to see his side build on their recent league success and the FA Cup win over Leeds with another victory on Saturday.

"We're going into this match with more confidence than in any of the previous matches (against the U's), but that doesn't mean anything," Fallon said.

"It's about going out there and performing as well as we have done over the last two months; anything less and Cambridge will win the game."

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Histon's remarkable rise through the non-league has coincided with Cambridge United's recent fall from grace - the U's were relegated from the Football League in 2005, while Histon have managed four promotions since 2000.

The rivalry between the two sides has become increasingly competitive over recent seasons - something Fallon takes as a positive.

"A few years ago when our results were announced there would be cheers at Cambridge games, but now we're so close that people are looking for negatives about us," he explained.

"It's a compliment that we get some stick from U's fans as it shows how well we have done."

With both clubs in the promotion mix in the Blue Square Premier, Saturday's match will act as a prelude to their first league clash on Boxing Day.

However, Brabin does not expect the two games to have much in common.

"The Trophy match will give you a little insight, but overall it's just another game we want to win with the added spice of playing your local rivals," he said.

"We've just got to focus on ourselves, we still believe we can challenge for a promotion spot."

Histon will be without the suspended Patrick Ada on Saturday but otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.

For the U's, Mark Convery looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his medial knee ligaments against Burton on Tuesday.

But Brabin's men are now clear of the flu which hampered their preparations for their games against Torquay and Burton in the past week.

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