Manager Dan Flack is urging his Bourne Town side to embrace the challenge of trying to create club history.

The Wakes will be aiming to reach the second round proper of the FA Trophy for the first time ever when they welcome Banbury United to the Abbey Lawn on Saturday.

Flack's charges have already matched the club's best-ever run, achieved during the 1972/73 campaign, but they will have to overcome a second successive higher level test in order to progress.

They beat Alvechurch in the previous round and now face further Southern League Premier Division Central opposition in Banbury.

Flack said: "Just because we beat a step three side in the last round, we're still the underdogs and Banbury are the favourites.

"It's the first round proper of an FA competition and hopefully we'll get a big crowd so we've just got to go out and enjoy it.

"They've got to embrace the chance of trying to get into the second round for the first time and create history for the club.

"Everyone saw what AFC Rushden and Diamonds did last weekend in the FA Cup against Morecombe, so why can't we do the same?"

Bourne had a crowd of more than 400 for their home match in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division against Barwell last weekend.

With Banbury well supported on their travels, Flack is hoping a another bumper crowd will get behind his side at the JJ Mac Stadium.

He added: "The crowd stuck with the boys last weekend, and when we got our first goal, it was like the beginning of the season.

"It gave the lads belief to keep pushing."

Bourne have been boosted by the return from injury of the influential Robbie Ellis with Charlie Brooks, Harry Mcloughlin and Jaxon Blankley also on the verge of full fitness.

The Wakes have also re-signed Callum Milne who spent last season with the Wakes before spells this term with both St Ives and Corby Town.

Flack commented: "Callum did very well last Saturday.

"He came in and played alongside Michael Bostwick and just did the simple things to protect our goal which is what we want our defenders to do.

"Their job is to keep the ball out of the net and anything apart from that is a bonus because their main job is defending. He will also bring some experience to what is quite a young group."

Banbury are currently 18th in the Southern League Premier Division Central and booked their trip to Bourne with victory over Peterborough Sports in the last round.

The Puritans were 3-2 home winners over Stamford recently and held high-flying Bromsgrove Sporting to a 1-1 draw at the weekend.