WORCESTER City's FA Cup ambitions will rest on their ability to slice open a stubborn Hucknall Town defence tomorrow (3pm).

The former colliery side have already stacked up nine draws in the Unibond Northern Premier, suffering just two losses, leaving City with one of their toughest assignments to date this season.

Matters are not helped by injury and temporary loss of form which sees John Barton's side go into this third qualifying round tie on the back of a dismal defeat at Bath in midweek.

Topscorer Darren Middleton while not underestimating the challenge insists all is not doom and gloom and believes the match gives them the perfect opportunity to banish the midweek blues.

"We are going through a tricky patch at the moment with a very disappointing performance on Tuesday where we were well off the pace for whatever reason," he said.

"It's good that we have got a game so quickly, it's a fresh challenge and we can go there with all guns blazing and be really up for it.

"I haven't been as disappointed for a long time as after that Bath defeat but we must remember it is not all doom and gloom.

"We're not languishing in mid-table -- we are joint top, still in the cup competitions and have a lot to play for."

Middleton believes Hucknall have earned the right to be taken seriously despite perceiving a gap in standards between the two clubs' two leagues.

"We are expecting a tough game with a team that have lost just twice all season and established a reputation as draw specialists," he said.

"The Unibond Northern Premier is another feeder league into the Conference though I've always thought the Dr Martens Premier was one of the strongest.

"Burton won it quite comfortably last year but some of the Burton lads said Hucknall are a decent team."

Injury curtailed Middelton's cup run last year including the near sell out clash with Rushden & Diamonds and the ex-Aston Villa and Wolves trainee is eager to savour the competition.

"I had an enjoyable time in the cup last year but missed the big match against Rushden & Diamonds," he said.

"Hopefully we can win this game and get into the last qualifying round which is where it gets really exciting with the prospect of being just one round away from a possible meeting with a league club."

Middleton also backed himself to make a success of his midfield switch.

"It's different playing up front to in midfield and after a couple of bad results everybody looks at weaknesses and the negatives but I know I can play in midfield," he said.

If the match ends in a draw, the replay will be at St George's Lane On Monday (7.45pm).

FORMCAST: City should be good enough to earn a replay in a 1-1 draw.