Blakemore chases league lift at Drayton

Shropshire-based Chasetown manager Charlie Blakemore has braced his side for a gruelling UniBond League division one south battle at Market Drayton Town tonight.

One of the biggest crowds of the season is expected at Greenfields as Simon Line's Drayton team pit their wits against a side who have re-written the FA Cup record books in recent seasons.

But it's league points which are at stake tonight as fifth hosts sixth.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Albrighton-based Blakemore.

"Market Drayton have done fantastically well to get where they are and I'm not surprised they have started so well because they ran away with the Midland Alliance last season.

"We've had them watched and they are a good side so we know we are in for a really tough game tonight."

Chasetown have seen their stock rise massively in recent seasons after reaching the first round of the FA Cup in 2005-6 and the third round in 2007-8.

But an early exit this season has allowed Blakemore to focus on the quest for promotion.

"The FA Cup has been a distraction in the last few years but I wouldn't have swapped it for the world because our gates have quadrupled and that has enabled us to grow as a club," he added.

"But I don't want us to keep talking about that. We want to get promoted."

Chasetown head to Shropshire tonight with their share of injury worries.

Former AFC Telford United striker Dean Perrow is out until after Christmas with a ruptured Achilles, while there are fears replacement Grant Ryan, on loan from Mansfield, snapped his cruciate ligament in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Brigg.

Drayton, meanwhile, will be bidding to bounce back from the disappointment of seeing their FA Cup dream ended by an unfortunate 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.

"Saturday was a bit of a bonus game that we were very unlucky to lose - but tonight is when it counts," said manager Line.

"It's a massive game for us - Chasetown are the pre-season favourites to win our league. They've made an indifferent start and we've now been beaten for the first time in 10 games - so it's how we react to it."

Goalkeeper Andy Pryce faces a late fitness test on a knee injury but former West Bromwich Albion right back Jared Hodgkiss is available.