Rushall Olympic face 400-mile test as Kidderminster Harriers two steps from Wembley in FA Trophy showdown

Rushall will make the more than 400-mile return trip to Cumbria tomorrow to face basement side Workington, looking to extend their unbeaten run to four league matches.

Despite being bottom, Workington have won two of their last three matches with one defeat in eight. With the Pics sitting five points clear of the danger zone, Long is keen to continue their good form.

“With the travelling it is going to be a really tough game,” said Long.

“They have really picked up. We drew 3-3 at home with them. We will have to be fully focused if we are going to get anything on the board. 

“It is one of the furthest we go, there are some big ones in the league for us. But our away form isn’t bad.

“It’s actually home games where we have come stuck where strangely enough we have played better football and been more dominant, but have less points for show for it. 

“We will definitely have a few beers on the coach if we can get a positive result.

“A point is great on the road I suppose, but we do want to be pulling away from this relegation dogfight as quickly as we can.”

The Pics have fared better away from home with 19 of their 35 points coming on their travels. 

While they are unbeaten in three, the past two matches have been draws, which Long wants his side to convert into wins.

“I would like to think we can pull away from the danger zone,” he added.

“But we have got to turn some of those draws into wins. Some of the sides down there are winning games and in decent form. 

“We have been really solid in the past three games. It’s been a real determined effort to keep the ball out of the net. 

“As it normally goes, you tighten up defensively and then lose something attacking wise. When opportunities come, we have to make sure we are taking them.”

In the FA Trophy quarter-finals, Kidderminster Harriers welcome National League side Wealdstone as they look to take one step closer to a potential Wembley showdown.

Harriers beat Halifax Town on penalties in the previous round to reach this stage for the first time since 2009/10, when they lost in the semi-final to Stevenage.

Kidderminster lifted the FA Trophy in 1987. Since then, they have finished as runners-up on three occasions.

Just two wins now stand between the Harriers and a trip to Wembley. A win in the quarter-final would bring a further £7,500 in prize money.

Elsewhere, in the Southern Central Premier, play-off hopefuls Halesowen Town visit Bishop’s Stortford looking to claim a third consecutive win.

League rivals Stourbridge host Kettering Town hoping to continue their upturn and charge towards safety. The Glassboys sit 19th, two points adrift of safety, and are unbeaten in their last two games.