MORECAMBE must overcome Stevenage Borough in a tough two-legged FA Trophy semi-final after they despatched Margate on Saturday.

The Shrimps had super sub John Norman to thank for the 2-1 victory at the weekend and now stand jut 180 minutes from their first FA Trophy final in 28 years.

The semi final draw contained three established conference clubs and Burton Albion who must now be odds on favourites to win the Unibond Premier League ahead of Lancaster City.

Jim Harvey's side will not be disappointed to have missed out on facing Yeovil, whose tremendous recent run has seen them win 5-1 at Christie Park and reach the fringes of the promotion race.

Stevenage, on the other hand, are under new management after long serving boss Paul Fairclough was replaced by former Peterborough assistant manager, Wayne Turner.

But the Shrimps still have league games to go before the first leg at home on April 6 and the trip to Stevenage on April 13.

On Saturday, Morecambe go to Edgar Street, home of Hereford United, while next Tuesday's midweek action sees league leaders Dagenham visit Christie Park at the start of a week which will see Morecambe play more than a passing role in the destination of the Conference's one automatic promotion place.

The reverse game, live on Sky Sports, takes place on Easter Monday and, should Jim Harvey's men fail to take at least a point or two, then the promotion hopes of Boston United and Yeovil will be severely dented.

Robbie Talbot is likely to miss the coming week's games, and possibly the remainder of the season, with injury.

He is ruled out of this week's England semi-pro game against the USA, though Stewart Drummond is expected to be fit to take part.