Lawrence is braced for Shrews' FA Cup battle

The Town captain grew up 20 minutes from the Lincolnshire town in Retford and has played on their sloping Northolme ground on several occasions as a youngster.

The first-round tie has caught the imagination of the nation and the whole game is being broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live with highlights on TV's Final Score.

Cup fever has hit the town, with 1,300 home tickets sold and a crowd of 2,000 expected at their 4,304-capacity ground, which boasts just 515 seats.

And Lawrence expects a real cup-tie atmosphere not for the faint-hearted.

"I think it really will be a good test of character for us going there because they will be well up for it," said the skipper.

"I used to live about 20 minutes from Gainsborough so I knew quite a bit about them growing up.

"I've played at the ground on a number of occasions so I know what to expect when we get there.

"From what I remember on one side, the little terrace shack is really close to the pitch and that will be full so on that side it will be quite intimidating.

"It's nearly all terraced and there's one main stand which had all wooden seats back in the day when I was there so I don't know if it's changed.

"I think the pitch has a bit of a slope as well.

"It's the FA Cup, they've got a League One side coming to town and they're going to want to put on a show. I'm sure they've got lads who don't want to be playing in the league they're in and want to catch the eye."

Lawrence has been bombarded by ticket requests from family as cup fever has taken over Gainsborough.

"All of my father's side of the family were all from Gainsborough so I've had them on the phone asking for tickets and seeing if I'm playing, so I can understand if the town has gone a bit mad," he said.

"I don't imagine anyone wants us to win – especially my family!"

Town will be without Nathaniel Knight-Percival tomorrow after the defender picked up his fifth booking of the season at Port Vale last week.

Loan pair Sullay Kaikai and Larnell Cole are eligible but Kaikai hasn't recovered from the knee injury that forced him off in the 2-0 win against Bury two weeks ago.

"Kaikai's still in the treatment room but we're hoping he resumes training early next week," said boss Micky Mellon.