THE FA Trophy may evoke memories of a painful day in Andy Gallinagh’s career having agonisingly been denied a trip to Wembley.

However, the defender believes Worcester City, who travel to Curzon Ashton in the third qualifying round tomorrow (3pm), can “replicate” Bath City’s memorable run in 2015 and maybe even go one better.

The 31-year-old captained the Romans to the semi-finals, beating higher-graded Bristol Rovers and Altrincham en route.

But he missed the chance to lead his team out at Wembley as eventual winners North Ferriby United knocked Bath out on penalties.

“No disrespect to North Ferriby but on paper they were probably one of the poorer teams we faced,” said Gallinagh, who set up Nick McCootie for a dramatic late strike to secure a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

“We took the lead at their place after about five minutes but then the game changed and they scored quite late on with a penalty.

“Their captain stuck about three penalties away in the two games, all in the top corner, and then he did it again in the final (against Wrexham) as well.

"It was frustrating at the time. But you just have to get on with it and look forward to the next game.”

Despite the disappointment, Gallinagh said Bath’s efforts in the competition created a “buzz” around the club which he was keen to experience again.

“A cup run is good for the club as they get rewarded financially and as a player you want to be winning cup games and get the big carrot at the end of playing at Wembley,” he said.

Gallinagh has yet to play at England’s national stadium but watched on at Wales' Principality Stadium in 2006 when his Cheltenham Town team defeated Grimsby Town in the League Two play-off final.

He continued: “It is not an easier way but it is a shorter way to get to Wembley (than the FA Cup) and it is a memorable time if you can get there. It is something to look back on in your career.

“There was a buzz about the place (at Bath), so hopefully we can replicate that (at City).”

Worcester face a Curzon Ashton side in resurgent form, having won back-to-back National League North games and progressed to the FA Cup second round, beating Westfields.

But Gallinagh is “pretty confident” Worcester, who lost 3-0 at Salford City in the league last weekend, can return victorious from the Tameside Stadium.

“The Trophy is important to us as it can take a little pressure off the league,” he said.

“There is no reason why we can’t do well in it.

“In the games we have played, there has only been a couple where we have come off and thought we were definitely beaten by the better team.

“We create chances and, with Lee Hughes up front who knows where the goal is, there is always an opportunity to go on those cup runs.”