Burgess Hill and Lewes can make it a Sussex double in the semi finals of the FA Vase.

That's the verdict of the only manager to lead a Sussex side to the last four of this prestigious national competition.

Carl Stabler was in charge of the all-conquering Littlehampton side which lost in the semi finals to Gresley Rovers in 1991.

No other Sussex side has reached that stage but Stabler believes his record is about to be beaten.

Stabler said: "I will be very disappointed and surprised if at least one of them does not reach the final.

"It is a record I am very proud of, being the only manager in Sussex to reach the semi finals, but records have to come to an end sometime. It would be brilliant if both sides got through."

Stabler knows what it takes to go that one step further and he believes both Burgess Hill and Lewes have the necessary ingredients.

During that 1991 season, the Marigolds reached the semi final of the Vase, won the County League and the League Cup and reached the first round proper of the FA Cup where they lost to Northampton.

Stabler said: "At Littlehampton, we had that self belief that we wouldn't be beaten.

"The FA Cup run put us in good stead. We lost 4-0, but we conceded a goal in the first minute and a goal in the last, so it wasn't that bad.

"Lewes have done more than that by going to Stoke and only losing 2-0.

"At our level of football they are capable of beating anyone and they have already proved that.

"I fancy Lewes because they have that self belief."

Stabler added: "I watched Burgess Hill the other night against Sidley. They only drew but I was impressed.

"You have to have quality players up front and Burgess Hill have that in Ashley Carr. It is a silly thing to say but you have to be able to score goals.

"I think both sides are good enough. Jimmy (Quinn) and Gary (Croydon) both have men playing for them.

"It is a good thing playing young players, but in certain games you have to have men playing for you."

Littlehampton's side of 1991 featured the likes of the Bennett brothers, Paul and Mark, Steve Bates, Keith Phillips and Terry Withers. They lost the first leg of their semi final 3-1 away to Gresley before going down 2-1 in the home leg.

Stabler said: "My favourite memory of the Vase run was the game when we beat Walthamstow Pennant, who are now Leyton Pennant. We were 2-0 down with 15 minutes but we came back to win 3-2 with Andy Horn scoring in the last minute."

He has one warning to both Burgess Hill and Lewes: Overcome the fear factor.

Stabler said: "They must remember that the other team sitting in the other dressing room are just as scared.

"Both sides are good enough to do it but they must not be scared to lose."

Any replays will take place next Saturday.