Non-league's greatest giant-killers eye another scalp

Heathcote had left by the time Altrincham pulled off their greatest cup exploit - knocking out first division Birmingham City at St Andrews in 1986 in what remains one of the competition's biggest shocks. They became only the second of four non-league teams to beat top-flight opposition away from home.

Forty years on, current manager Neil Gibson is all too aware of the tradition that he now hopes to continue in front of a live BBC TV audience, and a bumper Moss Lane crowd.

Having joined last year to help the club avoid relegation, the Welshman has overseen an impressive start to the current National League campaign, with Altrincham looking like play-off contenders. The dream of a first ever promotion to the EFL is the priority.