Sutton United will bid to become the first team to beat Brackley Town in their own backyard this season when the two teams battle it out for a place in the Buildbase FA Trophy quarter-finals tomorrow (Saturday, February 3).

The Saints have made their St James Park home a fortress and are currently third in the highly-competitive Vanarama National North, one division below Sutton.

The Northamptonshire side warmed-up for the Trophy tie with an impressive 2-1 home success over table-toppers Salford City last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

The victory avenged a 2-0 league defeat suffered at Salford back in September, one of just four defeats Brackley have experienced in league and cup all season so far.

After a tough Christmas schedule Sutton are on a decent run themselves having gone four games unbeaten in league and Trophy.

Their momentum was frustratingly kept in check after the match at struggling Barrow was called off last Saturday morning with players and fans already well on their way to south Cumbria. The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 13.

Despite that setback, Sutton will be hoping to benefit from fresh legs at Brackley and manager Paul Doswell knows the U’s face a serious test of their capabilities as they go into February fighting for honours on two fronts.

“It would be nice to keep the Trophy run going but our priority is the league,” he said.

“I have a lot of respect for what Kevin Wilkin [manager] has done at Brackley and we know we’ll be in for a tough game. They have a good squad with players who could play at a higher level.

“But, as we have shown this season numerous times, we are a match for anyone.”

Doswell has extended the loan spells of defender Terell Thomas and goalkeeper Owen Evans, both from Sky Bet League One leaders Wigan Athletic.

Thomas, who has given some assured performances since making his debut at Macclesfield on December 30, has signed for the U's until the end of the season.

Evans has conceded just one goal in his three matches for Sutton so far and has proven to be an able deputy for the injured Jamie Butler.

FA Trophy third round fixtures (Saturday, February 3): 
Harrogate Town v Billericay Town
Maidstone United v Gateshead
Maidenhead United v Stockport County
Wealdstone v Warrington Town
Brackley Town v Sutton United
Dover Athletic v Leyton Orient
Spennymoor Town v East Thurrock United
Workington v Bromley