BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith will try and treat Sunday's huge FA Vase quarter final clash with Buckland Athletic just like any other game.

Smith plans to prepare his players in the usual way but admits the match might already be preying on their minds.

Sporting produced a below par performance when beating Cadbury Athletic 3-2 this week, stretching their unbeaten league run to 23 games.

Smith said: "We had to win ugly. It wasn't a good performance and I thought some of players simply weren't at the races. It was like their minds were somewhere else - and why wouldn't they be."

"But the players showed great character to come from 2-1 down. It's a position we haven't really found ourselves in this season but we struck to the task and obtained the three points, that's all you could say."

Smith admits he's still uncertain about his line-up for Sunday. He told the Advertiser: "There are seven names nailed on but there are still three or four places that are up for grabs. But I've got a strong squad and whoever plays, it won't weaken the side one bit."

Smith made the daunting six-hour round trip to Newton Abbot last week to watch Buckland Athletic play.

"It's a tactic he's adopted throughout this season's FA Vase run" he said.

"I travelled down on my own and was watching the game when I got spotted at half time. Their vice-chairman came over to me and asked if I was Paul Smith.

"They were very hospitable. I got introduced to all the board members. They even bought me a pint after the game and proved to be lovely people, "I know they watched us against Cadbury Athletic, because they booked a pass. I prefer to go unannounced and see things for myself.

"Buckland cannot believe the size of the crowd they are going to play in front of this Sunday at the Victoria Ground and are very excited about the game.

"But it didn't disguise the fact Buckland are a very good side and play a similar style to Bristol Manor Farm who we beat in the previous round.

"Buckland have won their last 14 games and are no mugs. We will need to be at our very best to beat them."