Jonny Tuffey says Crusaders experience in last year's Europa Conference League will stand them in good stead this season.
The Crues bounced back from a first leg defeat in the first round at the Magpies to run out 3-1 winners at Seaview in the return game.
They gave eventual semi-finalists FC Basel a sweat in the second round at Seaview drawing 1-1 thanks to a goal by Billy Joe Burns.
Read next: Marcus Kane thanks Irish League family for helping him through 'toughest time'
Stephen Baxter's men were able to ramp up the pressure on the Swiss outfit thanks to them staying in the game in the first leg at St. Jakob-Park, where they came away with a 2-0 defeat.
Tuffey insists Crusaders will have to return from their first leg in Finland next month against FC Haka still well in the tie if they are to progress to the second qualifying round.
"It's a decent draw for us but I think it will be a tough couple of games," he said.
"But being away from home first if you can bring a positive result back it will be key.
"If you can stay in the tie like we proved last year I don't see why we can't go and give a good account of ourselves.
"Like I say if we can get back to Seaview with a positive result from the first leg, it has become a bit of a fortress for us and we won't fear anyone there."
Sign up to our f ree sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
