Hard draw no sweat for skipper

The Marston Road men will make the long trip to Blyth Spartans in the third qualifying round on November 21, the furthest stop north on the schedule over 220 miles away.

Spartans also present an all-Blue Square North test and are knocking on the door of the top ten, after flirting with relegation along with Rangers last season.

But Wilson is unmoved by the size of the task in hand.

He said: "We have proved we can kick it with the best in the league, so a trip to Blyth Spartans won't faze us.

"It's a tough place to go and a long journey - it's a hard draw for our first game in the trophy. But we are playing well at the moment and, if we can keep that up, we will be fine.

"I have never had a decent cup run since I have had been here, so it's definitely a target."

Rangers have endured a dreadful run in cup competition of late, tumbling out of the FA Cup at the first round of asking five weeks ago against Midland Alliance side Coventry Sphinx.

This followed immediate exits in the FA Cup and FA Trophy last season.

The club may have financially stabilised since then but any revenue raised by a potential run would be very welcome, and victory at Croft Park would bring in £4,000 in prize money alone.

But Wilson believes the players will be up for it because it's in their nature to challenge for prizes.

He said: "Of course there is pressure to do well in the trophy, we should expect that pressure because that is what we are paid for.

"None of the players have a problem with that, cups and competition is what we strive for as footballers.

"Every club will be hoping for a good cup run in this environment, because that money can be a safety net when the bad times hit.

"We are no different, although the club is perhaps more stable than it was this time last year."