Willenhall boss Mel Eves has urged his side to grasp their FA Cup lifeline and belatedly book their place in the first qualifying round.
The Lockmen will replay their preliminary round clash with Barnt Green Spartak at Noose Lane on Tuesday night after being reinstated into the competition.
Willenhall were initially dumped out by the Midland Combination outfit after being beaten 3-2.
But after it emerged Spartak fielded an ineligible player in goalscorer Martell Beckford, who should have missed the game through suspension carried over from last season, an FA sub-committee have ruled the tie should be replayed.
Willenhall have now been given home advantage for the match, which must be concluded on the night.
And Eves, whose side entertained Barton Rovers this afternoon, wants his players to learn from their lessons of three weeks ago and take the chance to progress and meet Kidsgrove Athletic.
“You can never take anything for granted in football because they have already beaten us once,” said Eves.
“But we have got a lifeline and we have got to take it.
“We know they have a lot of useful players. If we were taken by surprise in the last game then we can’t use that as an excuse because we know what to expect this time.
“The players know they will be in for a really tough game, even if we underestimated them before.
“We certainly won’t be taking them lightly - but anything can happen.”
Eves believes the FA made the right decision to order a replay rather than kick Barnt Green out of the competition.
“If, in all innocence, they fielded an ineligible player, which can happen at this level, then it is certainly the right decision,” he said.
“I think common sense has prevailed because you don’t want to see anyone thrown out of any competition for making an innocent mistake.”
With Albion the only local professional side playing on Tuesday night in the third round of the Carling Cup, Eves is now hoping for a bumper crowd to descend on Noose Lane for the replay.
“This is a big chance for fans to come down and watch us,” added Eves.
“The playing surface is better than it was last season and the areas around the pitch have been tidied up beyond all recognition.
“Noose Lane is now a much more pleasant environment to watch football. I think people who come to watch will be pleasantly surprised.”
Eves is still on the lookout to strengthen his squad but was facing a race against time to get anybody in in time to face Barton.
“We are looking for one or two players and we are discussing ways to strengthen the squad,” he added.
“Hopefully we can do something soon, although we’ve not had anyone sign registration forms with us yet.”
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