Marcus Crawley reports FORMER Boro midfielder Michael Brough insisted FA Cup success will be no certainty this weekend. Brough s current club Forest Green visit Broadhall Way in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday. The combative midfielder, deemed sur

Marcus Crawley reports

FORMER Boro midfielder Michael Brough insisted FA Cup success will be no certainty this weekend.

Brough's current club Forest Green visit Broadhall Way in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

The combative midfielder, deemed surplus to requirements by previous manager Graham Westley, said: "Tell the fans not to count their chickens.

"We're looking for a cup run and also to move up the league and we're trying to shake off the tag of relegation battlers.

"We've improved under Jim Harvey and we're going in the right direction. We're passing the ball more and we were more long ball at the start of the season."

Boro were fortunate to escape with a point from a 3-3 draw when the sides met at Broadhall Way at the end of August.

Brough continued: "It would have been nice for us to meet again in the first round proper.

"I think both clubs wanted to avoid this type of game and play against a lower league side instead."

Forest Green, now managed by former Morecambe manager Harvey, have shown improved form in their recent Conference fixtures.

Although they have failed to win away from home so far this season, home wins over Crawley and Burton and an away draw at Grays in their last three matches show their increased pedigree.

Boro boss Mark Stimson said: "We wanted to go on another run against Northwich at the weekend and it will have to start this week now in the cup.

"The FA Cup is a fantastic competition and the biggest in the world.

"It's a big game for us and one we want to win.

"It's great financially for the club and tremendous for the players if we play against the big boys in the later rounds."

Boro will be keen to avoid a replay in Gloucestershire on Tuesday night, particularly with the away trip to Burton coming just 72 hours later.

Steve Guppy and Chris Sullivan are still out injured but Adam Miller and Dale Binns have shown no adverse effects after substitute appearances on Saturday.

The experienced duo of striker Darryn Stamp and club captain Jason Goodliffe have been loaned out to Conference rivals York City.

Out-of-favour Stamp has gone for three months with both clubs appearing willing to eventually make the deal permanent.

Goodliffe has been out of the side due to the partnership of Santos Gaia and Ronnie Henry and has agreed a two-month stint with the Minstermen.

This means five Boro players are now out on loan with midfielder Dannie Bulman at another Conference side, Crawley, and striker Tony Thorpe at League Two strugglers Grimsby while Sam Hatton's spell at Yeading ends this Sunday.

Hasim Deen is currently on loan at Broadhall Way from Margate.

P The Boro youngsters have shown the way in cup competition this week.

The youth team have reached the FA Youth Cup first round proper and a tie at League One Gillingham on a date yet to be arranged.

Goals from David Iwediuno, Daniel Moss, Zak Burke and Romaine Thomas ensured they beat Kent League side Thamesmead 4-2 in the third qualifying round at Broadhall Way on Monday night. The visitors scored twice late on give a flattering scoreline.