Didcot Town are hoping that the FA Cup can continue to provide a welcome distraction as they host fellow Calor League Division 1 South & West side Shortwood United tomorrow, writes Matthew Bruce.

The tournament has been a small bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for the Railwaymen, who are currently bottom of the division.

Last season it was a similar story, as Didcot reached the fourth qualifying round and were only denied a mouth-watering first-round tie against Coventry City by a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Arlesey.

And a win this weekend would see the club pocket another £7,500 in prize money on top of the £9,500 they have already earned for their victories over Wantage Town, North Leigh and Burnham in the earlier stages.

Didcot have won just once in the league so far this season, a 2-0 home victory over Yate Town at the start of September, but their league campaign has since taken a backseat to their cup exploits.

An FA Cup win for the hosts tomorrow would be sweet revenge for the 4-1 defeat Shortwood inflicted on the Railwaymen on the opening day of the season.

It also offers Didcot the chance to make a quick recovery from Tuesday’s 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Cirencester Town in the FA Trophy.

Joel Meade and Pablo Haysham are available once again for the Railwaymen.

But defender Sam Elkins is a doubt after hobbling off during the defeat at Cirencester with a recurrence of the ankle injury which had kept him sidelined for a month.

Didcot Tn (v Shortwood Utd, away): from Beesley, Elkins, Janes, Parish, Carnell, Williams, Ferreira, Morris, Joyce, Blenford, Thorne, Mills, Longford, McKirnan, Haysham, Meade.