AFTER recording their best ever win on Tuesday night, Stratford Town are now preparing themselves for probably the biggest game in the club's history, writes Mervyn Collins.

Former Football League side South-port are Saturday's visitors to Masons Road when a place in the fourth qualifying round of this season's FA Cup is the prize for the winners.

The seasiders have plummeted dramatically in the rankings since losing league status and, relegation from the Conference last term now sees this weekend's opponents plying their trade in Nationwide Conference North.

However, Southport are on course for a swift return as they currently stand fourth in the table, 57 places above Stratford in the Pyramid, having won seven of 13 matches and lost four - so they are no means invincible.

Having watched his side pull off a sensational win in midweek, Lennie Derby admitted that he would love to send out the same 11 on Saturday.

Unfortunately, there's a doubt about Dennis Bailey's availability, while skipper Nigel Niblett limped off with a hamstring problem and is rated doubtful.

"Dennis has no contract with Birmingham University, just a commitment but having him there on Saturday will be a big boost for the club," said the Stratford boss.

The Town manager does have ready-made replacements if the pair are sidelined with Paul Nicholls and Ashley Pringle set to step in.

Officials have to clarify certain eligibility criteria before considering Geoff Amos and Simon Cormell for selection - they don't want to fall foul of a registration process that saw Stratford benefit at the expense of Sutton Coldfield Town in an earlier round.

"We've won every game when Dennis has played so I will be doing my utmost to try to get him to play on Saturday," said Masons Road chief Derby.

"Whatever happens on Saturday nobody will expect to win again so there's no pressure on the players. I think they will let us play and that was the key to our win over Hednesford.

"Having said that, though, we defended well and that's something that we haven't been doing in the league."

Derby and his assistants Ian Britton and Ricky Smith will assess the injury and unavailability situation at training tonight before deciding on his starting line-up for a game that is expected to attract more than double the 188 fans who watched Tuesday's victory.

The Lancastrians are expected to bring around 300 followers, so it's up to the people of Stratford to turn out and help the club continue its amazing run in this season's FA Cup competition.

In addition to a place in Monday morning's draw, the winners will receive £5,000 in prize money - another huge carrot for the Masons Road men and one that club officials will gladly add to the £5,750 that has already been banked in winnings this season.