Dale Eve said his first experience of the FA Cup felt like “playing in the Champions League” after making his debut in the world’s oldest knockout competition for Forest Green Rovers.

Eve has signed for Forest Green on loan from Barclays Premier League side Stoke City, and helped the Vanarama National Premier leaders to a 2-1 win at Margate in the fourth qualifying round at the weekend.

Forest Green were yesterday drawn away to Sky Bet League Two side AFC Wimbledon in the first round proper of the competition, with the fixtures to be played on Saturday, November 7.

The Bermuda goalkeeper admitted to feeling nervous in a match that was televised live on BT Sport, but hoped his performance had convinced Ady Pennock, the Forest Green coach, that he was worth an extended run in the team.

The 20-year-old joined Forest Green last week, with Jonny Maxted nursing a shoulder injury and Steve Arnold, the first-choice goalkeeper, yet to return to full training after ankle surgery.

“The FA Cup is like my Champions League and I was very excited when the manager told me I would be playing in it,” Eve told the Stroud Life.

“I felt a bit shaky at times, being my first game for Forest Green, but I’ve settled in well with the lads and they have made me very welcome.

“My game was good enough but I felt I could have done better, so hopefully I get another chance to show what I can do.”

An imposing presence at 6ft 4in, Eve has plenty of experience of loan spells, having had stints at Fleetwood Town, Newcastle Town, Nuneaton Town and Congleton Town.

He previously worked with Pennock at the Britannia Stadium, where the former Gillingham and Bournemouth defender was Stoke’s youth team coach.

“It definitely helps me that I know the gaffer so well,” Eve said. “He signed me as a young boy and it feels good to be playing for him again.

“I like going out on loan because I don’t always want to be playing under-21 football, which is not as competitive.

“The majority of the goalkeepers at Stoke are a year or so apart in ages, so it’s a struggle to get in front of people.”

Forest Green are a point clear at the top of the table and Eve is confident that the Gloucestershire side have the quality and togetherness to sustain their title bid.

“I’ve been impressed with the National League and with Forest Green,” said Eve, who is living with several of his new team-mates at the club’s hostel in Stroud.

“These are decent players and it doesn’t feel like a lower standard when I’m watching the games.

“You need to have experiences like this in your pocket if you want to make it in the Premier League.

“It would be great to get a chance in the league because the team are pushing forward at the top of the table and winning a lot of games.

“The lads are a really close bunch, which probably comes from a lot of us living in the same place. At some clubs it can feel like you don’t know anybody when you leave the training ground.”

Jonté Smith, the Bermuda striker, will not be joining Eve in the FA Cup first round after Gloucester City’s 2-1 defeat away to Staines at the weekend.

Smith continued his impressive scoring form for the non-League outfit, putting his team on level terms with a fierce deflected shot the second half.

Elsewhere, Rai Simons’s Chesterfield side have been drawn at non-League FC United of Manchester in the first round of the FA Cup, while Reggie Lamb and his Mansfield Town team-mates are at home to Oldham Athletic.

n Freddy Hall, the Bermuda first-choice goalkeeper, and his Limerick team-mates suffered a blow to their survival hopes after losing 2-0 at home to Shamrock Rovers last Friday.

Former Leeds United midfielder Stephen McPhail and Brandon Miele scored for the visiting side.

Limerick, who are rooted bottom of the Airtricity League Premier, are away to Sligo Rovers in their final game of the season on Friday.

They need a win to stand any chance of climbing ahead of Drogheda United to secure the relegation play-off spot. Drogheda are away to third-place Shamrock in their final match.