Barrow seek second round knock-out

The former Football League club, Barrow, are aiming to provide another knock-out performance today, thanks to the help of a boxing promoter.

The Cumbrian club are prospering from the bond between the Liverpool match-maker, Stephen Vaughan, and their manager, Tony Hesketh.

Since Vaughan took over as chairman at Holker Street, Barrow's fortunes have improved dramatically - both on and off the field. There will be an all-ticket crowd of 3,500 today, when they welcome Third Division Wigan Athletic in the second round of the FA Cup.

Neil Morton will be especially keen to do well today. He had a spell with Wigan and is Barrow's top scorer with 14 goals this season after a club-record pounds 11,000 move from Altrincham.

The former Everton and Oldham midfielder, Billy Kenny, is also expected to figure in a match which guarantees the winners a place alongside the top clubs in the draw for third round, taking place at 10.05pm on Monday.

Barrow are one of 12 non-league clubs with big ambitions this weekend and at least two of them will go through to the money-spinning stage.

Enfield entertain Woking, while Beazer Homes League rivals Cinderford and Gravesend meet in the Forest of Dean. Cinderford have never progressed beyond the third qualifying round - let alone to the third round proper - but are quietly confident of progressing.

The club scored a staggering 118 goals in 30 games to secure the Hellenic League title last season and have a blend of youth and experience.

Chris Price, the former Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Hereford defender, is a key figure, as is the assistant manager Clive Boxall, formerly of Kidderminster, while League scouts are assessing the talents of the 20-year-old striker Danny Hill and the 21-year-old midfielder Bradley Thomas.

Colwyn Bay of the Unibond League are also in uncharted territory and face a trip to Second Division Blackpool. Kingstonian are assured of a much bigger crowd than normal when they entertain Third Division Plymouth tomorrow.