JAN Molby believes Kidderminster Harriers' Worthington Cup first round clash against First Division Preston North End at Aggborough on Tuesday will be a 'great occasion'.

The Harriers boss, whose side is on Third Division duty at Darlington today, said: "If we can go into the game unbeaten in the league then that would give us a big lift."

The match gives Molby the chance to underline his view that Kidderminster will give a good account of themselves this season despite being unable to pay his players top wages.

He accepts financial restrictions at Aggborough mean other clubs are able to tempt players with bigger money, but he's convinced his decision to bring in younger talent will eventually reap rewards.

Molby said: "Players are asking for big wages these days. It's something that's obviously filtered down from the Premier League. We can compete with some and there's others we can't compete with. But teams have that problem whatever league they are in.

"Hull have chucked quite a bit of money at it, Hartlepool have by all accounts spent big money on the players they have brought in in terms of wages. Rushden, we know, wouldn't be shy of entering the transfer market so there probably are 13, 14 or 15 clubs that pay better money than what we do.

"But that doesn't mean we can't compete. We'll have to compete on our terms and one of the things we have done this year is we have improved in terms of bringing in a lot of youngsters.

"If they're the right ones they'll continue to improve over the next year and hopefully in a couple of years be the backbone of our side. And if that's the case then I see no reason what we can't compete on the field."