FC CLACTON boss Tom Austin has heaped praise on versatile defender or midfielder Charlie Thompson - and likened him to Liverpool’s Mr Reliable James Milner.

The former Brightlingsea Regent youngster has been a mainstay for the Seasiders this season and after missing Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Norwich United, he will hope to be back in the side for tonight’s League Challenge Cup tie at home to Brantham Athletic.

Austin said: “Charlie’s like my James Milner.

“I’ve played him in central midfield, in a holding midfield role, at centre-half and right-back.

“He’s brilliant. He doesn’t moan and, as a manager, he’s the perfect player.

“He’s just happy to be playing and I have to give him credit, because he’s been a key player this season.”

Austin has been buoyed by his side’s encouraging form this term.

Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League success came hot on the heels of an FA Vase victory against Buckingham Athletic, when they fought back from two-down to win 3-2.

“We’re trying to do things the right way,” said the Clacton boss.

“We’re trying to play football and be entertaining, although I could do without conceding so many goals. It’s not good for the grey hairs!

“We’ve just got to iron out the individual errors at the back and if we can do that, someone is going to take a battering.

“We’re playing some nice stuff going forward – we’ve just got to stop teams scoring stupid goals against us.

“If we can do that, we’ll push on.

“Add on nine points from recent league games (when his side were either pegged back or let winning positions slip) and we’d be sitting fourth. Instead we’re 11th.”

While Clacton will be fully focused on tonight’s game, they are also looking forward to their next Vase match, against Thurlow Nunn League rivals Kirkley and Pakefield at the Rush Green Bowl on November 3.

The sides have already met in two FA Cup ties – a 2-2 draw, followed by a 3-2 victory for the Seasiders – and a recent Thurlow Nunn League contest, which finished 3-3.

“It’s brought in a bit of money for the club (getting through to the second-round proper) and now we’ve got another home tie,” said Austin.

“It’s going to be a tough game but we’ve drawn against them twice and beaten them once already.

“But I said to the boys we’re only six games from Wembley.

“We’ve got six cup finals and you never know what can happen.”

Elsewhere in the League Cup tonight, HOLLAND FC are at home to HALSTEAD TOWN while BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES travel to Hadleigh United.

MALDON AND TIPTREE are in Bostik League division north action at home to AFC Sudbury.

There are a couple of Essex Senior Cup third-round ties of note, with COGGESHALL TOWN at home to Barking and WITHAM TOWN away to Hullbridge Sports.