The dream of mixing it with the giants of non-League football is firing AFC Telford United chairman Lee Carter in the build up to the Blue Square North play-offs.

Telford entertain Alfreton Town in tomorrow’s semi-final first leg, with the return fixture being played on Sunday afternoon ahead of the televised final on Friday, May 8.

Carter is desperate to see his side reach – and win – that play-off final, which would be against either Gateshead or Southport.

Success would take the Bucks to the top flight of non-League football, and see them rubbing shoulders on equal terms with a number of former Football League big guns.

“All four of the clubs in the play-offs will be looking at that league for next season and it’s a mouth-watering prospect,” said Carter.

“There’s Luton, Chester, Oxford and Wrexham in there as well as AFC Wimbledon, and I read over the weekend that Southampton could be in there as well, with the trouble they’re in.

“All four of us in the play-offs will want to be a part of that.

“We’re potentially three wins away from the greatest day of our lives and we will do everything we can to make it happen.”

Carter admits Alfreton’s strong finish to the season has brought back memories of Barrow’s remarkable run last year – when the Cumbrians rocketed up the league to win promotion.

They beat Telford in last season’s semi-final, and the chairman expects Alfreton to prove just as difficult to overcome.

“Alfreton have got a touch of the Barrow from last year about them,” said Carter.

“They’re a big and strong side and it’s a difficult place to go and play football.

“We just have to see how it goes, and we will be competitive. We came up short against Barrow but I’d like to think our whole club has come on from last year.”

Telford trained on the New Bucks Head pitch last night, and boss Rob Smith remains confident about the prospects for injured duo Jon Adams (hamstring) and Andy Brown (knee).

“They worked with Rudy (Farquharson, the club physio) and it’s looking quite positive,” said an upbeat Smith.