Hitchin Town 2 Gloucester City 2 NEIL JENSEN reports Hitchin Town are bidding to reach their first ever League Cup final on Tuesday night. They are playing local rivals Bedford Town on Tuesday night in the Errea (Southern League) Cup semi-final. The Canar

Hitchin Town 2 Gloucester City 2

NEIL JENSEN reports

Hitchin Town are bidding to reach their first ever League Cup final on Tuesday night.

They are playing local rivals Bedford Town on Tuesday night in the Errea (Southern League) Cup semi-final.

The Canaries will be looking to leading marksman Josh Sozzo to continue his good scoring run against his old club.

Since joining Hitchin two years ago, Sozzo has scored three times against Bedford, including this season in the Canaries' 2-0 win at the New Eyrie.

The game promises to be a tense affair with so many players who have played for both sides.

Sozzo, Daniel French, Liam Folds and Aaran Cavill have all played for Bedford, while the Eagles have Chris Dillon, Carl Williams and Craig Rydeheard who have appeared for the Canaries.

Hitchin officials are urging the public to get behind the team in the biggest game seen for some time at Top Field.

Manager Darren Salton said: "We would dearly love to get to the final and the more people that come along to cheer the team, the better."

Hitchin, who are also at home on Saturday to Cirencester, will be without striker Gavin Jaggard who is suspended for the tie.

A weakened side twice came from behind to earn a point against relegation threatened Gloucester at Top Field on Saturday.

Gloucester took the lead with a 35-yard free-kick from full-back John Miller in the 11th minute.

The visitors, with a strong wind behind them, looked the better side in the first half hour.

Paul Stonehouse went close for Gloucester with a shot that brought a flying save out of Hitchin goalkeeper Richard Wilmot.

Another effort by Chris Thompson was also tipped round a post by Wilmot.

Stand-in striker Thomas Hayes had two chances for Hitchin, a header and a volley that were both wide of the target.

It was Hayes that equalised in the 34th minute, a shot from inside the area after a long ball by Neil Pugh.

But Gloucester regained the lead in the 58th minute through young striker Michael Whittington. He picked the ball up just inside the Hitchin half, ran on, beat Folds and slotted low into the net.

Hitchin responded well, however, and a good ball by Hayes found French but his shot was saved by Gloucester keeper Matt Bath.

Mark Ducket also had an opportunity but his snap shot was well handled by Bath.

Hayes scored Hitchin's second equaliser in the 76th minute, shooting home after Adam Parker had held off a challenge.

Cavill was prevented from earning Hitchin a late win when Bath pulled off another spectacular save.

Canaries: Wilmot, Pugh, Okai, Hammonds, Folds, Hicks, French (W Mills 87), Cavill, Lochhead (Parker 60), Hayes, Ducket.