PICKERING Town are gearing up for the "biggest game" in their history tomorrow - and manager Paul Marshall wants a big crowd to witness it.

The Pikes welcome Ramsbottom United to Mill Lane (3pm) for the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, with the first round proper beckoning.

With National League sides entering at the next stage, a potentially glamorous draw awaits the winner, with the likes of former Football League outfits Wrexham, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield in the hat.

York City, should they make it past Kidderminster, will also be in the mix, as will Marshall's former charges, Harrogate Town.

The Pikes boss has warned his defenders will need to have their wits about them tomorrow, having watched Ramsbottom's 5-1 second qualifying round victory over fellow Step 4 outfit Yaxley in midweek, but he also says his own team are in form - and that the tie is up for grabs.

Marshall said: "It's the biggest game in Pickering's history. We know we're in form and we've had a good run so we have a 50-50 chance of winning the game like against Stocksbridge, Droylsden and Mansfield.

"Saturday is no different. It's a flip of a coin.

"We're into the last 64 if we get through, which is a massive achievement. Some teams haven't even won a game after years in the competition and we've won three in our first-ever year.

"We've had to come from behind six times which tells you about the spirit of the team.

"Everyone knows football is played between the ears.

"We're looking for a big crowd to be the 12th man. Against Mansfield it was a great crowd and we're hoping to replicate that."

On Ramsbottom's intimidating scoreline against Yaxley, Marshall said: "It could have been 10.

"It was hard to judge because Yaxley had a depleted squad and they were struggling.

"But Ramsbottom were decent and it will be a good test.

"They're a well-organised team and they've got a lot of pace going forward - a lot of pace. They've got three lads, who are all very quick, two experienced midfielders and two experienced centre backs.

"We're improving (in defence) but we'll have to be on their guard because they are very fast. You can't give any entry to those lads at the back."

Ramsbottom sit fourth in the Evo-Stik League west division and are on an 11-game unbeaten run.

The Pikes, though, had also been on a good run until Tuesday night, when a youthful side were beaten 1-0 in the North Riding County FA Senior Cup first round by Middlesbrough Under-23s.

But Marshall said there were "a lot of positives" to take from that game, in which Pickering fielded a starting line-up with an average age of 21, and was pleased about "not getting embarrassed" against the Championship outfit's second-string.

Meanwhile, Tadcaster Albion, third in the Evo-Stik League east division, travel to Spalding United looking to secure a third win on the bounce, while premier division leaders Scarborough Athletic host Gainsborough Trinity.

Selby Town will want a seventh straight win when they host basement side FC Bolsover in Northern Counties East League division one.

Premier division high-fliers Knaresborough Town visit Handsworth Parramore while Harrogate Railway Athletic travel to Liversedge.

In the National League, Harrogate Town host strugglers Braintree Town.