Spalding keeper Michael Emery saves with his feet as Stuart Ellis takes off, with former Shrewsbury Town player Richard Scott in the background. Picture by Terry Morris

Market Drayton’s confidence-boosting six-goal spree against Spalding on Saturday is no yardstick for tomorrow night’s Shropshire Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Shifnal, Town boss Simon Line has warned his cock-a-hoop crew.

“It was great to be back in such tremendous attacking form on Saturday but a local derby in a county cup semi-final is an entirely different matter,” he said.

“The form book goes out the window in ties like tomorrow’s and I know we’ll be in for real battle against Shifnal.

“We might be considered favourites for the competition but that means nothing in a local derby. They’ll rise to the occasion. Anything can happen in a game like this.”

Drayton, though, are sure to be high in confidence after their latest big victory. Spalding were certainly not be the most serious threat they’ve faced at Greenfields this season but the way they brushed them aside was, to be polite, comprehensive.

Their goals were from six different scorers, emphasising their return to confidence as an attacking force able to strike from all quarters.

But perhaps the most potent pointer for the future was the appearance together, for the first time this season, of rogue roving wingers Stuart Ellis and Nicky Porter after being kept apart largely by a mix of injury and suspension.

Both have the priceless ability carry the ball through the opposition at pace, operate from either flank, finish fiercely, produce the unexpected and, when it suits them, team up as a two-pronged thrust through the heart of a defence.

With Francis muscling in as an attacker, Martyn Davies doing his thing as Jack the Lad and Tom Rogers dodging here and there, Spalding simply could not cope.

Ellis, sporting 11 on his shirt but charging in from the right, persuaded Spalding full-back Matty Evans to open the scoring on 25 minutes by turning the winger’s low cross into his own net.

Rogers was rewarded for his hard work with the second on 38 minutes and when Porter rifled home a fearsome 25 yard free kick on the stroke of half-time, Drayton could be excused for sitting out most of the remaining 45 minutes.

Not with Mr Line back in charge, you don’t.

Defender Paul McMullen highlighted his return to dominance in the air by superbly heading Drayton’s fourth in 58 minutes.

Davies then converted a penalty won that’s the best word for it – by Porter on 68.

And substitute David Howarth scored a stylish sixth on 85 as Town kept faith with their fans among the meagre 74-strong crowd by playing at full pace until the end.

Spalding’s cause was not helped by an injury to goalkeeper Michael Emery – but he had no chance with the three that beat him before the break when Max Flintoff took over at half-time, Dame Fortune deserted him too as Drayton finished with deadly accuracy.

But the unluckiest man in the Spalding camp was Tito Davidson.

The defender travelled from Newcastle upon Tyne that morning to answer an emergency call from the club’s manager, former Shrewsbury Town favourite Richard Scott, only to find himself in the middle of the carnage.

• Tomorrow night’s Challenge Cup tie is at the Shrewsbury Sports Village at 7.45pm, with the second semi-final, between Ellesmere Rangers and Wellington Amateurs, at the same venue the following night, again kicking off at 7.45pm.