Injury hit Spennymoor are looking to improve on last year’s poor performance when they go to Lancaster City in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Moors reached the first round proper in season 2016-17 when they just lost 3-2 to Football League club MK Dons, but since then they have lost to Gainsborough Trinity and Witton Albion at the first time of asking.

And now, manager Jason Ainsley is aiming to go one better than last year’s exit.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s the biggest game of the season so far,” he said.

“We want to do well in the FA Cup, and advance in the competition just like we did three seasons ago.

“We didn’t really get going last year against Witton, and the same the year before against Gainsborough, so we want to make up for that at Lancaster.

“We’re going there expecting to win, but we must remember that Lancaster are a very good side with some excellent players. They have improved as the season has gone on.

“They’re doing well in the BetVictor League, and they’re hoping to get promoted – so they’ll see this game as a test of how much they’ve progressed.

“However, we’re steadily improving, we’re unbeaten in our last three matches, and I expect our players to put in a positive performance.”

However, Ainsley has had several injury problems to contend with during the week. Central defender Scott Harrison is likely to be out for the season with an ACL injury that he sustained pre-season, while strikers Glen Taylor and Mark Anderson, plus midfielder Dan Ward are all injured.

Striker Gavin Cogdon picked up a knock in midweek when he scored all four goals in the victory over Darlington Town in the Durham Challenge Cup.

Lancaster play in the BetVictor Northern Premier League, one division below Moors.

They’re ninth in the table, and are unbeaten at home in four league games. They beat Northwich Victoria in a replay in the last round.

In the other FA Cup ties, Stockton Town will have the biggest FA Cup tie in their short history when they go to Guiseley. Dunston go to Marine, and Whitby go to 1874 Northwich.

In the NPL Premier Division, South Shields are at home to Basford, while Marske United host Droylsden in the South West Division