Wright on time (From Stourbridge News)

Wright on time

Stourbridge were indebted to substitute Andy Wright for his injury time equaliser at home to Sutton Coldfield last Saturday but manager Gary Hackett admitted his team would have to play better in this week's tough FA Trophy tie.

The Glassboys travel to Merthyr Tydfil in the first qualifying round of the competition on the back of an unbeaten run which they preserved thanks to Wright's timely strike at the War Memorial Ground at the weekend.

In an evenly-matched game, Stour had fallen behind in the second half when former Scotland international Paul Devlin miscued an effort into the path of Matthew Dodd who finished for the visitors.

But Stourbridge are made of stern stuff and were not prepared to throw in the towel. They began to get on top in the closing stages and earned a point when Wright converted from close range following a corner.

The result helped Stourbridge to keep up the pressure on Bromsgrove at the top of the BGB Division One Midlands although Rovers extended their lead with a victory against Malvern in midweek.

Hackett said: "It was a game in which neither side created many chances.

"Overall we were a bit disappointed because our play was not up to our usual standard."

Glassboys boss Gary Hackett

"We did not play particularly well and certainly did not carve out as many opportunities as we normally do.

"However we did battle back in the last ten or 15 minutes and then sneaked the goal right at the death.

"Overall we were a bit disappointed because our play was not up to our usual standard.

"It was an average performance but we managed to take a point.

"One positive is that after 92 or 93 minutes we were still trying to get the equaliser and it was a great relief when the ball finally went in."

Stourbridge are making their return to the FA Trophy this season but they could not have been handed a tougher draw at this stage than an away tie against Merthyr Tydfil.

The Welsh side haven't lost in the league so far and are riding high in the BGB Premier Division.

Their success has been built on the back of a miserly defence and Penndarren Park is always an intimidating venue for visiting teams.

Merthyr have some pedigree in the cup competitions and Sky Sports cameras visited their home ground last season when they were narrowly beaten in the FA Cup first round by Walsall.

There are question marks over the fitness of Paul Danks, Andy Wells and Morgan Brookes for Stourbridge ahead of the game.

Hackett is aware of the size of the task facing his team, but is confident they are capable of causing an upset.

He said: "They are unbeaten in the division above so it is going to be a particularly tough ask.

"I'm sure no-one outside of Stourbridge is expecting us to go there and win but I know we have got players who are capable of raising their game.

"It is a big match for us as we have not competed in the Trophy for some time and we are determined to give a good account of ourselves.

"Being a one-off cup tie, we know anything can happen and I know we can rise to the occasion."