RAMSBOTTOM United's joint-manager Bernard Morley is calling upon his side to keep their momentum going ahead of their Doodson Sport Cup tie with Burscough tonight.

The Rams will be confident of booking a second round date with Salford City heading into the game: they are unbeaten in their last ten matches at home - a run stretching back to the end of August - and have won nine of their last 11 outings.

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Burscough, conversely, have not won away from home since September and have lost seven of their last ten games.

And following the progress made in the FA Trophy - United are into the third qualifying round after seeing off Nantwich Town ten days ago - the manager does not see either competition as a distraction from their league campaign.

"It's about keeping a winning mentality within the squad," Morley said, "We'll approach this as another big game. The lads know that they're all playing for a shirt and if they don't perform then someone else will take it from them and get their chance."

Grantham Town threatened to end the good form at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead into the half-time break but United hit back to record a 3-1 victory thanks to unanswered second-half goals from Dominic Smalley, Jon Robinson and 11-goal top-scorer Jordan Hulme.

The joint-manager said: "The lads showed great character to come from behind and win the game.

"We had to be patient as we were in control of the game from the first minute until the last but we just weren't taking our chances.

"Confidence is high at the moment. We've been doing the right things in games and hopefully we can keep doing the right things to keep picking up results."

Under the stewardship of Morley and Anthony Johnson, who are now in their fifth season in their roles as joint player-managers, the Rams have been promoted twice.

The momentum from last season's promotion has carried over into this campaign and United are now fourth, occupying a play-off place in the EvoStik League Premier Division, meaning promotion to the Conference North at the end of the season could well be on the cards.

"I suppose you have to start considering it," said Morley. "We're almost at the halfway point of the season and we are where we are on merit."

However, the joint-manager isn't getting too carried away with Rammy's excellent start to the season and wants to keep feet planted firmly on the ground.

"If we can get through the Christmas period and January and still be there or thereabouts we will definitely have a chance but we need to take it game by game."