Boss Rob Smith has set his sights on another big cup run as AFC Telford United prepare to launch their challenge away at Gainsborough Trinity tomorrow.

The Bucks have already reached the last 16 of the Setanta Shield and were knocked out of the FA Cup in a first round replay at Southend on Tuesday.

Now he wants his side to take confidence from those successes and make their mark in non-League football’s premier knockout competition.

“It’s another cup where we don’t have a great record and we were certainly disappointed to go out to Blyth Spartans last year,” said Smith. “But we’ve quite enjoyed the cups this year so we fancy a run in it this time.

“Our games against the likes of Cambridge, Northwich and Southend this year have proved us that there’s certainly nothing to fear.”

The Bucks have already faced Gainsborough twice at home this season, beating them 2-1 in the Blue Square North and 3-2 after extra-time in the Setanta Shield.

But he expects it to be an altogether tougher proposition away at Trinity’s Northolme ground, especially with arctic weather forecast for the east of the country tomorrow.

“I do believe we have got about as tricky a tie as we could have had,” he said.

“There’s going to be awkward conditions – it’s not going to be the best of days, it will be cold and the pitch won’t be the greatest.

“It’s a test of character for us, especially on the back of a defeat. They’ve answered every question that’s been thrown at them so far and this will be a big one mentally.

“I’m confident we can come back with something, even if it’s a replay.

“That wouldn’t be ideal as it would mean another game so we want to try and win it, but the main thing is to get through to the next round – whatever it takes.”

Striker Danny Carey-Bertram will be available, having been cup-tied in the FA Cup, while Jimmy Turner returns to the fold after a month on loan at Bromsgrove.