Neil Cutler: Deano date is Walsall's goal

But the Saddlers caretaker boss insists the prize on offer won't prove a distraction as Walsall aim to make it third time lucky against the Spireites.

Despite being less than halfway though the season, the two teams meet for the third time at the Banks's Stadium tonight, with the Saddlers yet to come out on top.

Back in October, Chesterfield – then under the management of Dean Saunders – escaped the West Midlands with a 2-1 victory despite the home side dominating the game.

And in the FA Cup second round clash on December 5, a last-minute goal from Sam Morsy rescued a draw for the Derbyshire outfit in a game ruined by strong winds.

Cutler, who is currently in caretaker charge along with John Ward and Jon Whitney, said: "The players are fully focused on the Chesterfield game, because it's about time we beat them.

"We have got to make sure we get the job done. The boys are really up for the game because, as a group, we are determined to keep pushing forward.

"The prize of a place in the FA Cup third round against a Championship side is a huge incentive, even without the fact it's Brentford and Dean Smith.

"We are fully focused on our game plan and winning. When we played them last time, the conditions didn't allow us to play how we wanted to play.

"But we dug in and defended really well. Hopefully the conditions will be different tonight and we can play the way we want to play. If we perform like we know we can, then we win the game."

Popular boss Smith left Walsall after almost five years in charge to take over the reins at Championship outfit Brentford on November 30.

And Cutler admits it's an exciting prospect for both the players and the coaching staff to lock horns with their former manager.

He said: "Getting Brentford in the next round is a huge incentive. It will be massive for the coaching staff, with how close we are to Dean and Richard O'Kelly.

"To pit our wits against the masters, the guys we have learned so much off over the past few years is exciting.

"It will be a real challenge because Dean and Richard know everything about our players. They have worked with them for the past five years and developed a philosophy that has brought them along.

"They have developed the lads as players and people. But for us it's a good chance to go out and play against a Championship side who are managed by our old manager."

The goalkeeping coach admitted he felt there was a sense of inevitability about Walsall potentially being drawn against the Bees.

He added: "I was sat watching the draw with my family thinking it's bound to happen. It's one of those things – the magic of the FA Cup.

"But there is still a long way to go before it becomes a reality. We have to use the draw as a positive."