WINGER Adam Smith is backing his York City team-mates to overcome AFC Telford in the FA Trophy semi-finals despite the Shropshire club shattering his own Wembley dream this season.

Smith was a member of the Gainsborough Trinity side that lost 2-0 at home against the Bucks to bow out of non-League football’s most prestigious knockout competition in November.

Telford also ended Smith’s interest in the Setanta Shield this term.

The former Chesterfield wide-man opened the scoring in September’s New Buck’s Head tie but Trinity went on to lose 3-2.

In addition, Smith played in Gainsborough’s 2-1 away league defeat to the Bucks but, despite his personal hat-trick of defeats against the Blue Square North play-off contenders, City’s skilful right-winger believes the KitKat Crescent club will be running out at the famous home of football on May 9.

Ahead of Saturday’s first leg, Smith said: “Telford have a lovely stadium with a good playing surface and I’m expecting a great game.

“They also get a surprising number of fans for a side at that level but that did not intimidate me and I think the lads will respond to a good atmosphere.

“They are a very attack-minded team with wing-backs who like to bomb forward and they had sharp strikers against us at Gainsborough.

“They are in a lower division however and, even though we have not done ourselves justice in terms of our league position with the players we have got, I’m confident our squad is strong enough to go there and get the job done.”

Smith is cup-tied for the remainder of the competition and would not be eligible to play at Wembley should the Minstermen advance from their second successive Trophy semi-final.

He is fully focussed on the club’s relegation battle instead, although, while admitting he is envious of his team-mates, Smith will be willing them on to victory over the next two weekends.

He said: “This is a great opportunity and, even though I’m massively jealous, I’m 100 per cent behind the lads.

“I’ve never been to Wembley, even as a fan, but I will have my fingers crossed and I’m sure they can pull it off.

“My feet would be itching in the stand if we got to the final but I want to see the lads get there and, it would still be a great day out for those of us who can’t play.

“For me, my targets have to be for the team to go for three points in every league game left, get ourselves safe and play some good football.”

Smith played the whole of yesterday’s 1-1 reserve draw against Scunthorpe.

And he believes he is now nearing full fitness having only started one first-team match since returning to the Minstermen from Gainsborough at the end of January, following his impressive loan spell a month earlier.

He said: “The reserve game felt good and it was nice to get 90 minutes because I need games like yesterday’s to get my fitness back as I haven’t played too many full matches for a while.

“I felt strong and it won’t be too long before I’m 100 per cent fit.

“It’s been frustrating being eligible for league games and then having to drop out of the squad for Trophy matches but I just have to be prepared and ready so when I am called upon I’m 100 per cent right physically and mentally.”

Teenage striker Michael Emmerson opened the scoring midway through the first half against Scunthorpe, netting at the second attempt.

Scunthorpe’s Niall Canavan grabbed the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, heading in from a corner inside the six-yard box.

Ben Wilkinson and Simon Brown both failed to convert excellent second-half chances, while Christian and Adam Smith were both denied by fine Sam Slocombe saves and Emmerson hit the bar late on.

Fit-again David McGurk completed another hour on his return from a calf muscle tear while fellow centre-back Mark Greaves played the full game.