Longridge Town's home FA Cup tie with Skelmersdale United

Lee Ashcroft’s players are set to meet their NWCFL Premier Division counterparts next midweek with a place in the final qualifying round up for grabs.

The winners of the tie will also receive £5,625 with the losers picking up £1,875.

Town reached this stage thanks to their 3-2 win at Stalybridge Celtic last weekend, while Skelmersdale saw off Lancaster City.

Longridge’s players had led 2-0 at half-time, after which their opponents got back on level terms before Owen Watkinson’s late winner.

Speaking after the win at Bower Fold, Ashcroft told the club website: “From minute one we were fantastic but we had to be against a team two leagues above.

“I keep talking about the word ‘belief’ but I believe they are starting to believe in themselves because they can play.

“First half, I thought we were well on top and worthy of our lead.

“Second half, it was a different story as many games are. They put us under a lot of pressure but fair play to the lads, they rolled their sleeves up.

“When they equalised, me and Keiran (Walmsley, assistant boss) thought, ‘Here we go, penalties’ but then we had this bit of magic and a fantastic goal.”

As with previous rounds, next week’s match will go straight to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.