CHRIS Willcock insists Ramsbottom United should not be written off as they prepare of their FA Trophy third round replay at AFC Fylde this evening.

The two sides played out an epic 5-5 draw at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium last week - with many believing that was the Rams best chance of progressing to the quarter finals.

But the Evo Stik League side, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, have already upset the odds and Willcock says they are ready to do it again.

"The neutral will think our chance has gone and Fylde are now favourites to go through," said Willcock. "But that is what people said about Weymouth in the last round and look what happened to them.

"People will say we are underdogs but we don't feel like we are underdogs. We have played 11 games in this competition so far and we have yet to lose game.

"It's a massive challenge for us as Fylde are a very good side but we have risen to every challenge so far and the lads are all looking forward to it.

"By right, Fylde will be favourites to win when you consider where they are in the league and where we are. But we are looking forward to going to their superb stadium and playing on a good surface which favours our players and our style of play."

Willcock admitted he was left with 'mixed emotions' after the first meeting of the two sides when Ramsbottom fought back from 2-0 and 4-2 down to lead 5-4 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

"It was an incredible game of football, a 10-goal thriller, a superb advert for Non League football," added Willcock. "We showed great character to twice come back from two goals down but when we led with seven minutes or so to go you think you will be able to hold on.

"But credit to the Fylde, the never let the heads drop and they fought back for the draw."

Willcock says his side have the fire power to trouble a Fylde side riding high in the National League.

Nic Evangelinos scored a hat-trick in the first meeting between the two sides while Ruben Jerome, Jason Carey and Iyrwah Gooden all capable of troubling the Fylde defence.

"We certainly have the fire power to trouble them and they know that," said Willcock. "Nic know has 12 goals in the competition so far and I don't think anyone has scored more. So whatever combination we go for, we know we are capable of scoring goals."

Ramsbottom have so far played six rounds of football in the FA Trophy with the last four all going to replays. But a home quarter final tie against either Barnet or Carshalton Athletic is a great incentive for the Rams.

"We have played a lot of football in this competition and have clocked up a lot of miles," added Willcock whose side have had to go to Pickering, Workington and Weymouth so far. "But a home quarter final tie for the winner is a great incentive."

Meanwhile, elsewhere tonight Clitheroe go in search of their first win in 11 games when they visit Skelmersdale United in the Evo-Stik West.

The Blues haven't tasted victory since the reverse fixture on November 10 and will be hoping to double up against bottom of the table Skem who haven't won a league game at home all season.

Clitheroe are down in 17th spot, three points clear of third bottom Glossop North End.