Minnows still seeking glory

By Pete Oliver

The fabled magic of the FA Cup did not rub off on the competition's three non-league survivors when the third-round draw was made.

But that will not stop Nationwide Conference clubs Scarborough, Accrington Stanley and Telford from dreaming when Saturday comes.

The trio have all beaten Nationwide League opposition to come this far and get another crack at clubs from the League's three divisions this weekend.

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Scarborough

Scarborough stand on the verge of unchartered territory as they go down the east coast to take on Southend United.

The North Yorkshire club have never reached the fourth-round and have made it to this stage for only the sixth time thanks to wins over Hinckley, Doncaster and then, most notably, away to Second Division Port Vale.

The reward of a 540-mile round trip to Roots Hall might be seen as a scant one, but not to manager Russell Slade.

Slade's Scarborough are at Southend

"Once we got over the fact that we hadn't got a Premier League side we've viewed it as a game where we have a realistic chance of getting a result against a side struggling in the Third Division," said Slade.

"Having beaten Doncaster and Port Vale there is not a fear factor in going to Southend.

"If the players raise their game as they have done on the previous occasions we have a chance. In 125 years the club has never gone past this round so the players have the chance to make a little bit of history."

Scarborough know how to defend and in on-loan Sheffield United winger Ashley Sestanovich have a potential match-winner.

Vale found that out to their cost and Slade's men, who have under-performed in the league, are in no mood to end their cup run just yet.

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Accrington

Accrington Stanley are the last part-timers still standing, but remarkably manager John Coleman is having to dampen down expectation in the East Lancashire town.

Leigh, Huddersfield and Bournemouth, via a replay, have already been sent packing and Colchester, despite their fine season in Division Two under Phil Parkinson, will not be relishing a trip to the Interlink Express Stadium.

Coleman has done wonders at Accrington

"People think we've got a great chance of another win, but they've got to remember Colchester are two leagues above us and we can't take anything for granted," said Coleman.

"I've got to keep the lads' feet on the ground and make sure they know what they've got to do."

You can be sure Coleman, a straight-talking Liverpudlian who has dragged the former League club back into the national spotlight, will get his message across.

And after showing the composure to pull of two televised shocks already, Coleman is hoping his side, missing suspended captain Peter Cavanagh but with the free-scoring Paul Mullin at the head of their attack, can do it again.

He added: "I would like us to attack a bit more than we did against Huddersfield and Bournemouth. If we can do that I think we will give them a good game."

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Telford

Telford face the toughest test as they make the short trip to First Division Crewe Alexandra.

Crewe are in decent form but Telford are a resurgent club and will match Dario Gradi's young side for experience when the two meet at Gresty Road.

Chairman Andy Shaw has invested heavily on the ground at the New Bucks Head and this season has also given new boss Mick Jones plenty of money to spend on full-time players.

Mills played for Stoke last season

Virtually all have played in the League and defender Trevor Challis, midfielder Fitzroy Simpson and striker Lee Mills can boast over 750 league starts between them.

Mills, 33, joined Telford in the summer after playing for Stoke last season and has 11 goals so far this season.

"We are delighted to be in this position and it's a good test for us to play against an established First Division side and see how we square up," said Mills.

"I have always had a quite a good record against Crewe for all the teams I've played for.

"But you know that if you catch Dario's sides on a good day you could get a hiding. That's what we want to avoid.

"On any given day, anyone can beat anyone, but we just want to give a good account of ourselves and prove to some people that we are probably a bit better than a Conference team.

"It will be nice for me to pit my wits against Crewe and prove to myself that I'm not over the hill."

Telford will be trying to emulate the glory years of the mid-80s when they were regular giant-killers, going all the way to round five in 1985 before losing to eventual winners Everton at Goodison Park.

Glory beckons once again.