United face a classic banana skin against the Blue Square Premier Division leaders at the 4,000-capacity Glass World Stadium as they look to book their place in the third round draw.

To add to the pressure on McAllister and his players, the match is being screened on terrestrial television (kick-off 12.15pm) as Leeds aim to avoid the embarrassment of losing to the part-timers from Cambridgeshire, who have won their last seven league games to raise hopes of promotion to the Football League.

Leeds will also be without leading scorer Jermaine Beckford, who will be absent for a month with a hamstring injury.

"It's all set-up, it's a classic FA Cup tie and the cameras will be there because they sniff something," said McAllister.

"We know it's going to be a tough game and that Histon are flying high at the moment, but we're going there to fight and we are Leeds United.

"There's a lot at stake for us and a lot of pride as well; our players are working their socks off at the moment and we want this result badly.

"Of course we're favourites and we're not looking at the negatives; we're looking forwards and trying to make sure we progress into the third round proper."

Histon are managed by Steve Fallon and coached by John Beck, the notorious long-ball specialist who had spells in charge of Cambridge United, Preston North End and Lincoln City.

Beck's methods have attracted much criticism over the years but McAllister refused to be drawn on the type of football Leeds might encounter.

"I don't want to talk about their style of play, to be honest," he said. "I don't know John Beck and I don't think I've played against one of his teams, but Histon are obviously getting results and they will have a lot of confidence.

"They are very effective at what they do, but my only concern is Leeds United; I don't want to talk about the opposition.

"We just need to get to our tempo and get our rhythm right. We don't expect to be able to get the ball down and play and weave pretty patterns, but when the game does open up we've got to show why, as a group, we're two divisions higher than they are."

Leeds midfielder Jonathan Douglas admitted the majority of the country would be rooting for Histon.

"I'm sure a lot of people sitting at home watching the game on television will be wanting us to get beat, but it's up to us to show everyone what we can do," he said.

"We've sat down and had meetings about Histon and we know we're in for a battle, but we've prepared really well, just as we do for every game, and it's all about ourselves and trying to make sure we get into that third round draw.

"But we're not complacent and we know we're a League One side – only two divisions higher than them. It's not as if we're Leeds United in the Premier Division anymore.

"We've got to give 100 per cent because anything less than that won't be good enough; we've got to be as determined as them and we will be as determined."

Douglas pronounced himself satisfied with his own form after struggling to break into the team at the start of the season.

"It's been going well lately and I'm really enjoying it," he said. "I wasn't involved at the start of the season and maybe that gave me the kick up the backside I needed.

"Playing with people like Fabian Delph makes it easier for me because you just have to give him the ball and let him run with it.

"It was disappointing to be out of the team at the start of the season because nobody likes to be out, but you just have to tell yourself to roll your sleeves up and keep working hard, and that's really all that I've tried to do."