Market Drayton Town manager Simon Line is treating his team’s unexpected trip to Lancashire tonight as a punishment.

Drayton were due to be entertaining leaders Leek in what looked an attractive UniBond League division one south encounter at Greenfields.

But instead they will be heading to Bamber Bridge – who are from the north division of the equivalent standard – for an FA Trophy qualifying round replay after the teams drew 1-1 in the original tie at Greenfields.

“The Leek game would have been fantastic but we only have ourselves to blame because we were diabolical on Saturday,” said Line.

“I think we would have won the game had we been in second or third gear but we didn’t even get that far.

“Far too many players were flat and there was no energy in the team.

“We had to shut down training on Thursday because some of the lads were coming down with an illness and four or five were still struggling on Saturday, so they maybe had half an excuse.

“But it wasn’t good enough so we will see this as a punishment. There were a few choice words after the game on Saturday and I now expect us to go to Bamber Bridge tonight and progress.”

Drayton head north bidding for the £2,000 prize on offer for the winners with goalkeeper Andrew Pryce back available after returning from injury at the weekend.

But one man no longer available for Drayton is former West Bromwich Albion full-back Jared Hodgkiss, who has achieved his mission of returning to full-time football with Forest Green Rovers, making his debut for the Blue Square Premier club in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Mansfield.

Hodgkiss agreed to turn out for Drayton until he found a new club higher up the ranks.

“Jared has gone with our blessing,” said Line of a player who has played for the Baggies in the Premier League.

“He is a great young man and in the six games he has played for us, nobody has put in more effort than him. We wish him well.”

By JAMES GARRISON