THE passion of the Welsh Dragons stand between Stevenage Boro and a place in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend. Mark Stimson s side head up to North Wales this Saturday to play League Two strugglers Wrexham at their revamped Racecourse Ground. B

THE passion of the Welsh Dragons stand between Stevenage Boro and a place in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Mark Stimson's side head up to North Wales this Saturday to play League Two strugglers Wrexham at their revamped Racecourse Ground.

Boro are on the back of three Conference defeats, while the Welsh side also reside in the lower reaches of their league.

Stimson said: "Both sides are looking to win as a way of kick-starting their seasons."

Hopes of an upset have increased due to Wrexham's poor recent form and a shortage of strikers.

After going seven games unbeaten at the start of the season, Wrexham suffered eight defeats in nine games in all competitions.

The rot was stopped by a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers a week last Saturday but since then they have drawn with bottom side Macclesfield and were beaten 1-0 at Bury on Tuesday night.

Two on-loan forwards are likely to be featuring against Boro this weekend.

Sunderland's Kevin Smith and Maheta Molango from Brighton made their debuts in Saturday's stalemate against Paul Ince's Macclesfield.

Both played due to injuries to skipper Neil Roberts and Lee McEvilly and the suspension of Chris Llewellyn.

Boro will be keen to exact more cup agony on the Ferguson family this week.

Wrexham's most recognisable player is Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United boss Alex, and a former player at Old Trafford.

The Welshmen have been managed by veteran boss Denis Smith for the last five years.

Stimson continued: "Wrexham have got some good players; the two new strikers looked good when I watched them on Saturday and Ferguson is a good player if you give him time on the ball."

Steve Guppy continues to miss out for Boro due to injury but he is expected to return soon.

Boro's latest defeat was 2-1 at Burton Albion on Friday night.

They led before seeing the home side quickly reduced to 10 men and ultimately overturn the odds.

Stimson added: "I was disappointed in the fact that we created so many chances for an away side.

"We could have been three or four ahead at the break.

"I was still confident of at least a point until the very end."

Regular number two goalkeeper Danny Potter was given a rare starting berth in goal but did not cover himself in glory.

Stimson said: "Alan (Julian) has done really well but we like our keepers to be comfortable with their feet as well and that's not Alan's strong point.

"Alan and Danny are two really good goalkeepers and I wouldn't swap them for any other keepers at this level.

"I haven't decided who will get the nod for Wrexham.