STOURBRIDGE booked a long distance trip to Workington in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round after professionally seeing off the threat of Manchester side Curzon Ashton this week.

A barnstorming start saw the Glassboys grab an early lead through Ryan Rowe before a second strike from Jamie Oliver just before the half-hour mark meant Stourbridge were always in the ascendency from that point.

A third goal in the dying moments, lashed home by Luke Benbow, sealed a highly satisfactory 3-0 win and leaves Stourbridge just one game away from a place in the first round proper, a feat they have only achieved twice before.

Manager Gary Hackett remained unfazed about the trip to the Skrill North club.

He said: “It’s a very winnable game.

“The only negative is the distance we have to travel, but it’s never going to be easy at this stage of the competition.

“If we want to reach the first round, then we’re going to have to produce some big performances.

“But we shall travel up there on the Friday evening and prepare properly , as we always do.”

Hackett was dealt a blow this week with the sudden departure of defender Paul McCone, who has joined Conference North front-runners Hednesford Town.

McCone, who played a starring role in Stourbridge’s previous FA Cup run, had only recently arrived back at Amblecote after leaving Stourbridge in the summer to join another Conference North side, Leamington.

Hackett added: “There’s no panic. We’ve got Will Richards, Jamie Oliver, Jean Kalanda and Michael Briscoe who can all drop into a defensive role.”

However, Hackett does have defensive concerns after lynch-pin Nathan Bennett limped off early in the game against Curzon and was replaced by Paul Lloyd, who himself is already struggling with a knee problem and has little chance of featuring in this Saturday’s FA Trophy contest at home to Banbury United.

Hackett must also rule out Ben Billingham who undergoes a minor operation this weekend which could rule him out for upto four weeks.

Any supporters wishing to travel to Workington should see Jim McComish at the club shop during Saturday’s game or at the club on monday from 7pm.

Booking will be taken on a first come, first served basis and costs £20 with conessions £18.