Buxton all set for Cheltenham Town battle in the FA Cup

​They are just one win away from a potential draw against a Premier League club, but know that it’ll be far from straightforward despite the fact Cheltenham have struggled in the league this season and currently sit second from bottom in the table.

So Bucks boss John McGrath is excited by the challenge.

He said: “It’s a place I’ve been as a player but to go there to take my team and pit ourselves against League Two opposition is something I’m really looking forward to.

"It’s a nice break from the league but it’s a break that I’d want – we’re in the second round of the FA Cup and it’s a chance for the boys to showcase their abilities and a chance for our football club as a whole to showcase what we’re all about.”

Buxton go into the game off the back of a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to high-flyers Merthyr Town on Saturday.

The game saw Bucks defender Kieran Burton sent off early on and despite a spirited second-half, Buxton couldn’t find enough to take anything from the game.

McGrath said: “I’ve watched the red card back – although it happened right in front of me – and it’s inexcusable but it was the only negative other than the result.

"On the balance of play I thought we were excellent, especially in the second-half. I had players there playing for their shirts, playing for themselves, playing for me, the management team, everybody.

"What an effort in the second-half – we were in the ascendancy and on the front foot and really aggressive, I’m just so disappointed that it wasn’t with 11 men for the majority of the game against a side who had won seven on the bounce.

"There were loads of positives and I was proud of the second-half performance.”