PHIL Parkinson assessed City's latest FA Cup task against non-league opponents and stressed: We'll treat Dartford with the utmost respect.

The Kent side are currently fourth from bottom of the Conference with only three wins in 18 games.

City will be hotly-tipped to see them off at Valley Parade next month and book their place in the potentially lucrative third-round draw.

Having survived a scare to come from behind and edge past Halifax, Parkinson will make his side well aware of the pitfalls.

"Look at the results over the weekend and we've got to be very wary of any complacency at all," said the Bantams boss.

"You've seen Conference teams go away and get very good results – Worcester beating Coventry and Chester winning at Southend.

"We are well aware of that and will treat Dartford with the utmost respect. But we can't complain at all.

"We said we would like a home draw against a team not in our division. We've got what we want. We've handled the favourites' tag at Halifax and we will have to do it again.

"It will be a really tough game because this is a cup final for Dartford and we will prepare as thoroughly as we do for any opponent."

Parkinson has never faced the Darts in competitive action, although he has watched games there when he was manager of Charlton.

He said: "They have got league experience in the squad, like a lot of teams at that level. You can see the talent dripping down through the divisions.

"Look at Havant & Waterlooville the other night. They had Brian Stock, who was recently playing for Burnley, and Warren Cummings in their starting line-up and Alan Connell came off the bench.

"A lot of non-league teams have that combination of experienced players and young and upcoming lads.

"I thought we came through it really well at Halifax after a difficult start. This will be more of the same.

"I was talking to Nicky Law at Alfreton on Monday and we were discussing the way that Halifax played. He said that's what you must face up to every week in the Conference.

"You've got to cope with the physical challenge and we'll be ready.

"Like anybody, Dartford's ultimate aim is to get in the third round, so they would probably have preferred a home draw. But we know how much they will be up for it coming to Valley Parade and it's a game to look forward to."

Parkinson's immediate concern is the injury list ahead of Saturday's trip to high-flying Preston.

Jon Stead suffered a tight groin at the weekend and City will monitor him closely as they consider James Hanson's situation.

Gary Liddle has sat out the past two games with his hamstring strain and Parkinson fears he may need another week.

"Gary only just started running again towards the end of last week and wasn't close to playing Sunday," he said.

"We'll see how he's going but our thoughts are that it will probably be the Gillingham game when he's back.

"It's a shame because overall he has arguably been out best player with the level of performance he's given. He is class.

"He was a bit unfortunate to pick up this slight injury – and it's only slight – because of the heavy grounds. But he's upped his training."

Young striker Lewis Clarkson is also back in full training after 14 weeks out with a severe hamstring tear.

Parkinson said: "It's been a long drawn-out process. He has been running but he needs to build up his football fitness over the next couple of weeks."