We need win to boost confidence – Hughes

BRYAN Hughes has dismissed suggestions that Wrexham’s first foray into the SPFL Challenge Cup is a “free hit” and insists that the Dragons are in a position where they simply “need to get back on the winning track”.

Wrexham will take part in the Scottish third-tier knock-out competition for the first time in their history today (3pm) as Championship high-fliers Ayr United head for the Racecourse.

The Dragons are one of eight ‘crossborder’ sides invited into the Challenge Cup, along with fellow National League outfit Solihull Moors after the pair finished as the two highest-placed sides in the English fifth tier that did not win promotion.

Dragons boss Hughes had described the Challenge Cup as a distraction ahead of the draw for the third round, but after a disappointing run of results that has seen them without a win in their last five outings, he revealed a chance to rest a few of his frontline players had passed by.

When asked if Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Maidenhead United, would influence his selection for Ayr, the manager replied: “Maybe.

“I think I need to get confidence back into these players, we need to win a game. In a blue sky world it would have been great to play some young lads in the Scottish Cup because that is not our priority this year, but I’ll have to address it and see where we go.”

Hughes added: “I wouldn’t call it a freehit because we need to win a game and we need to get back on the winning track.”

Ayr United skipper Ross Docherty is relishing the chance to go up against “big club” Wrexham.

He said: “The draw was really well received in the dressing room,.

“No disrespect to a few of the teams from other countries who have been in this competition, but Wrexham are a pretty big club by comparison.

“They have a good pedigree and it’s one for us all to look forward to.”