Stamford boss Graham Drury eyes another FA Cup upset at National League North Macclesfield in fourth qualifying round

Graham Drury is relishing the chance to take his Stamford side into battle as underdogs when they travel to big-hitters Macclesfield in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

The Daniels boss is no stranger to upsetting the odds - and he’s hoping to conjure another famous giant-killing to rival the club’s unforgettable victory over Wrexham back in 2016.

“It’s definitely a free hit,” said Drury. “We’re the underdogs for sure. It’s a big club and a great ground to be playing at. It feels like a first-round proper tie for us already.”

Macclesfield, who boast huge support and are among the fancied sides for promotion from National League North, will go into the tie as clear favourites, but that’s exactly how Drury likes it.

“I like the thought of being the underdogs,” he added.

“The reward at the end of it is massive, beating a club like them would be huge. With our league position, they’ll look at it as the perfect draw, but it’s down to us to prove we’re a good side.”

Drury still treasures the memories of Stamford’s 2016 run, which saw them defeat then-National League side Wrexham in a dramatic replay to reach the first round proper.

“That season we had four replays and played a lot of games to get there,” he recalled.

“This year we’ve only played three so far and the pleasing thing is we haven’t conceded a goal in the FA Cup yet.

“If we can repeat that one more time, we’ll have pulled off another giant-killing.”

For Drury personally, the stakes are high. Now in the latter stages of his managerial career, he admits reaching the first round again would be a fitting finale.

“I haven’t got many seasons left doing this,” he said.

“To reach the first round for the fourth time would be the icing on the cake.

“When we beat Wrexham that time, I really thought we’d get picked for TV, but it didn’t happen.

“If we can get through this one, it might be my last chance to get Stamford on live TV. Match of the Day highlights don’t count, I want Stamford live on the BBC!”

Drury also had some positive news on the injury front, with several key players edging closer to returns.

“We’re hoping to have everyone back fit,” he confirmed.

“Luke Johnson is very close and Rhys Sharpe isn’t far away either.”

One major boost came last weekend as King’s Lynn Town loanee Fletcher Toll returned to the scoresheet after a long injury lay-off.

“It was great to see Fletch get 60 minutes and a goal,” said Drury.

“It was a real boost. With Duffy’s suspension, our other strikers must stay fit.

“Having Fletcher, Cam Johnson and the others all pushing for places should give us the firepower we need, starting Saturday, hopefully.”

Drury’s message is clear: the pressure is all on Macclesfield - and that’s just how he wants it.

“We’ve nothing to lose,” he smiled.

“Let’s go there, enjoy it, and show everyone what this team can do.”

Stamford, follow up Saturday’s cup clash with a Southern Central Premier trip to Bromsgrove Sporting on Tuesday night looking for their first league win.