Boss Rob Smith is aiming to pile more pressure on AFC Telford United’s already-congested fixture list – by plotting the downfall of Barrow in tonight’s Setanta Shield northern area final.

The Bucks head to Holker Street looking to maintain their involvement in the much-maligned competition, knowing victory would guarantee them prizemoney of at least £18,000.

The battle for the Blue Square North title and their run to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy may be stealing the headlines, but Smith insists they will still be going all out for the victory in the Conference’s league cup competition.

“We aren’t going up there just for the trip, we’re going up there to try and win the game,” he declared.

“Whether people think that’s right or wrong, that’s just the way I am.

“We’ve got players like Terry Fearns and Mark Danks who need a game and Lee Moore will be fit as well so we’ve got options.”

One man unlikely to be risked is striker Andy Brown, who only returned to the starting line-up in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Hyde following a long lay-off with an Achilles injury.

Fellow front man Danny Carey-Bertram may also be rested after limping out of that victory with a knock to the ankle.

The weather is the biggest concern for the Telford boss, with heavy rain forecast in Cumbria throughout the day.

The tie has already been postponed once, due to a frozen pitch, and a frustrated Smith added: “If it’s off tonight we might as well toss a coin because we can’t fit any more games into our schedule.”

• The winners tonight will have to wait to discover their opponents in the final, with the southern section having been hit by delays. The fifth round match between Crawley and Ebbsfleet will be played on Thursday with the winners hosting Forest Green in the southern area final.

By CHRIS HUDSON