Rob Smith insists Hednesford Town have more to come

The Pitmen head for Greater Manchester with the semi-final tie poised at 2-2 ahead of tomorrow's second leg.

And Smith believes the Robins did not see the 'real Hednesford' despite his side ending Wednesday's first leg at Keys Park on level terms.

"There were seven or eight of our players on Wednesday who were well below their best, so I've got to be happy that we've come out of it with a draw," he said.

"I don't think we'll be as bad as that again, so the tie isn't not over.

"Altrincham will be disappointed that they didn't win and we were pleased to come away with a draw.

"I don't think I've seen our midfield play as badly as that for a while but we are where we are and we've got 90 minutes now to try to do the job.

"There was a bit of disappointment in the dressing room on Wednesday.

"I think we acknowledged that we didn't really turn up as we would have liked and we didn't play well.

"The players were a bit down with their performances with I think the occasion got to a couple of them, which is understandable and we will regroup and go again."

Smith must replace suspended midfielder Wayne Riley tomorrow but otherwise hopes to have an unchanged squad to pick from, despite goal hero Danny Glover suffering a head wound in Wednesday's first leg.

The manager said: "There will be a big crowd and it's an intimidating place to go but we've got nothing to fear.

"What you see is what you get with Altrincham and as long as we can up our game a little bit we've got every chance. We certainly don't think it's over and done with and I hope they don't think that either.

"We will be well outnumbered up there but I'm sure we will travel in numbers because they have been brilliant all year. They will all be behind that goal and if they can make some noise we will give it our best shot.

"We have had a fantastic season but there's more to come. It's not over."

Hednesford's fans have certainly not given up hope, with two full coaches already booked to travel north and the possibility of a third making the trip to Moss Lane.

The Pitmen won 3-1 when they visited Altrincham in the league in November and drew 1-1 in the clash at Keys Park.

They finished fourth, one place below the Robins but showed in the play-off first leg that they are a match for their rivals.

Damian Reeves put Altrincham in front early on but Alex Melbourne levelled just after the half-hour.

Bandaged Glover, son of former Port Vale player Lee Glover, scored a wonder goal to put the Pitmen in front after half-time, but James Walshaw equalised a few minutes later to leave the tie finely poised.

Ebbsfleet United are favourites for a final berth after beating Bromley 4-0 in the first leg of the other semi-final.