Striker Danny Carey-Bertram is winning his race against time to lead the line for AFC Telford United in tonight’s big FA Trophy replay at Southport.

The prolific marksman limped out of Saturday’s 2-2 draw due to an on-going knee injury, but should be ready to try and fire his side to quarter-final glory.

Carey-Bertram was one of three players taken off at the weekend, with Liam Blakeman also making good progress, but Jamie Vermiglio a major doubt.

Smith’s patched-up side were scheduled to face Farsley Celtic in the Blue Square North tonight, but Southport’s late equaliser on Saturday forced a re-shuffle.

The prize for the winners is the chance to play for a place at Wembley in a two-legged semi-final with Blue Square Premier outfit York City.

“The only one who is in bad condition is Jamie and we will make a last-minute decision on him tonight,” said Smith.

“Danny feels okay, and it’s a good job we brought him off when we did or he’d have had no chance. Liam’s got a dodgy toe but he’s okay.

“It’s a fresh game tonight and we’re ready for it – whoever gets through has a decent draw with York but we’re not thinking that far yet.

“There’s nothing tougher than Southport, as Torquay will testify when they went there and lost in an earlier round.”

Smith accepts the Sandgrounders are the favourites for tonight’s tie but insists they will run out at Haig Avenue with an attacking mindset.

“It’s advantage Southport because they’re at home and I’ve no problem saying that,” he added.

“We want to be positive – we don’t want to sit back and we certainly don’t want extra-time because we’ve played a lot of games lately.

“I think it will be a good cup-tie and I think it will be one goal that will win it.

“Myself and Liam (Watson, the Southport manager) both said that on Saturday and got it wrong then, but I can’t see anything else tonight.”

By Chris Hudson