DIDCOT Town boss Andy Ballard is hoping his players use the agony of their cup final defeat to keep their season alive.

The Railwaymen lost 1-0 at Hitchin Town in the Evo-Stik South League’s BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup on Wednesday night.

But with a West Division play-off place still in their grasp, Ballard has challenged his side to make sure their campaign does not peter out.

“It was hugely disappointing to lose out in the cup final,” he said.

“But I feel a sense of massive pride in my players and to get to the final was a great achievement in itself.”

He added: “We now have another four cup finals to go, starting at Salisbury on Saturday.

“It will be a tough game as Salisbury are looking for automatic promotion, but they have dropped points of late and if we play anything like we did against them in our home fixture they’re in for a really tough night.

“We need to make sure there’s no hangover. We spoke after the final about how it felt to lose and that come our final game of the season none of us want to feel that way again.”

Cam McNeil replaces Adam Doyle in an otherwise unchanged squad.

North Leigh boss John Brough, who is departing at the end of the season, has praised the youngsters that have retained the club’s status.

The Millers’ 5-3 win over Paulton Rovers in midweek secured their survival, and although Brough will not be at Eynsham Park next year, he is delighted.

“I think our win against Paulton was deserved,” he said.

“I must give credit to all the players involved. They rolled their sleeves up and got a good win.

“We have seen good effort from the younger lads. Their attitude has been fantastic.”

“The club are going in a different direction next year with a smaller budget, but they will regroup in the summer and I’m sure they will put a side out next year to compete and not be the whipping boys.”

Brough names an unchanged squad for the trip to Winchester.

Banbury United boss Mike Ford believes the experience his young players have picked up in the club’s second season in the Premier Division will stand them in good stead next year.

The Puritans look certain to secure a top-ten finish and their manager, whose side entertain Merthyr Town tomorrow, has been satisfied with the season.

“This year has been more difficult than last, but the fact that we’ve almost achieved what we did last year is pleasing.

“We were unknown at this level last season. At the start of this season, I was very conscious that teams can potentially get dragged into a relegation battle in the second year.

“But that hasn’t happened. We had a great start and that set us up.

“Yes, we’ve stuttered a bit in the second half of the season. But we can draw on so many positives this year.

“My younger players haven’t been under any pressure in relegation battles, and we’ve had a comfortable season.

“Having that balance of youngsters and experience has been key,” he said.

“What we try to do is develop the next generation, and I’d like to think we are doing that.”

In the East Division, Thame United travel to Northwood still looking for a top-half finish.

“Hopefully they will all be stronger for their experience and we can build on this next season.”

Banbury go into their final home game of the season and Ford chooses an unchanged squad from the one that lost in midweek.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Merthyr Tn, home): from Harding, Wright, Stonehouse, Nash, Johnson, Bradbury, Ngathe, Self, Wise, Awadh, Finch, Howards, Humphreys, Winters, Ngamvoulou, Sandy.

Didcot Tn (v Salisbury, away): from Bedwell, Jeacock, Learoyd, Cattell, McNeil, Hayden, Barder, Agyakwa, Reid, Barcelos, Thomas, Ballard, Humphries, Joyce, Woodley, Murphy, McNish.

Thame Utd (v Northwood, away): from Hill, Evans, Mepham, Johnston, Ashworth, Morris, A Goss, L Goss, Tack, D West, Finlay, Sturgess, Ricketts, Lynn.