DELIGHTED John Coleman has promised Fulham a tough 90 minutes as the Premier League millionaires swagger into the Crown Ground – and says his Accrington Stanley players could tackle Real Madrid at the moment.

The Reds booked their dream Saturday date with Roy Hodgson’s top flight stars thanks to Tuesday’s impressive third round win over League One Gillingham.

And now Coleman is ready for an historic day as Stanley step into the uncharted waters of the fourth round for the first time since the current club was formed in 1968.

“Fulham will have had someone watching us on Tuesday night and that person will have gone back to Craven Cottage and told them what to expect,” said Coleman.

“They will know they will face a tough game, they will know it is going to be a battle and they know they will have to be on their game. They know it won’t be a cakewalk.

“My lads are sky high at the minute. Fulham hold no fear for them and, to be honest, my players would feel happy and confident if they went out to play Real Madrid just at the moment.”

Tuesday’s win saw £67,500 in prize money deposited into Stanley’s bank account – and with the extra bonus of TV highlights money from Saturday’s game, the club can finally see light at the end of their financially stricken tunnel.

And Coleman is now hoping the people of Accrington get behind the club on their biggest day after just 1,322 turned out for Tuesday’s third round tie.

“Financially Tuesday was a great result,” said Coleman. “And hopefully we will have a bumper crowd for Saturday’s game with Fulham because you don’t see Accrington Stanley in the fourth round of the FA Cup very often.

“And I think it’s the first time we have had a Premier League team here, it is certainly the first time in my time as manager of this club.

“It will be a special occasion, a great day and you never know what can happen.

“In my time as manager, we have not had much luck in the FA Cup, maybe that will change on Saturday and maybe we can make the headlines and continue that dream against Fulham and get into round five.

“I am delighted for our fans but I also don’t want to take the plaudits away from my players. The fans are a great boost to us but all the credit for what it happening should go to the lads on the park rather than anyone else.

“Without the players there is no football club and my lads, with an average age of 20 or 21, keep pulling out the big performances.

“Saturday is their day.”

However, Coleman is keen to focus on the main target of this season as he chases an upward move from League Two.

“The main thing is not to get sidetracked by all of this,” he said. “We have worked really hard in the league this season and are in a really good position and the last thing we want to do is waste that hard work by getting carried away in the cup.

“But at this club we get neither too high nor too low. We try and stay grounded – but we will give Fulham a good go on Saturday.”