Bamber Bridge tackle cup semi-final with Preston North End keeper bolstering their ranks

The winners will book themselves a piece in the showpiece final at Bolton Wanderers’ University of Bolton Stadium, and Milligan has warned that Prestwich, who are two divisions below Brig, will be no pushovers.

He said: “I’ve played against them this season with AFC Blackpool, I know their manager and they’re a decent outfit at that level.

“They’re not going to be a pushover, I know that. I’ve played in loads of these games myself where if your mentality’s not right, or you turn up in the wrong frame of mind, you can easily get turned over.

“If (the final at Bolton) is not a big enough prize for the players to get into the game, then I don’t know what is really.

“It’s a really good stadium and the pitch will be lovely. It’s a massive prize for them at the end of the day, but it’s the same prize for Prestwich and they’re going to be up for it even more so.”

Milligan welcomed a new face in at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium last week, goalkeeper Michael Crowe joining on loan from Preston North End for the rest of the season after first-choice stopper Danny Roccia suffered a broken hand.

And the Brig boss says he is disappointed for Roccia, but expressed his thanks to North End for sanctioning the deal.

He explained: “I’m gutted for Rocky really. I said to him when I came in (in December) that I was going to give him a chance no matter what because I think he deserves it, and he’s gradually got better.

“I sorted him out to go to training with AFC Fylde most days, so that’s helped him massively, you can see that, and he’s made some crucial saves for us.

“Look at the FC United game, at 1-0 he made a massive save to stop them equalising. It’s a shame for him, he’s been brilliant since I’ve come in so I’m just gutted for him.

“But it’s great that Preston have done us a favour in letting us have Crowey, it’s good for him as well to get games and I’m thankful to Crowey for coming in and helping us out.”

Milligan has tasted cup success as a player with Brig in 2017, when they won the Integro League Cup under the management of Neil Reynolds.

And the former midfielder says it is a great feeling for any player to experience.

“You never forget those times,” he said.

“I had a good time playing at Bamber Bridge and it’s memories for the lads, the younger boys especially.

“To win a trophy at 18, 19, 20 years old, it goes on the CV and it’s great for the younger lads especially, as well as the older lads.”