BISHOP Auckland manager Tony Lee is planning on adding yet another big name to his impressive list of scalps in the FA Trophy.

And he has Burton Albion firmly fixed in his sights, the brewery town club managed by Nigel Clough and aiming for the Nationwide Conference.

Bishops are hoping for the backing of several hundred fans for one of the top ties in the third round of the competition this afternoon.

Bishops expect to take around 500 fans to the top Dr Martens League side's ground - twice the number of supporters usually seen at Kingsway.

The tie has certainly captured the imagination - Bishops' excellent league and cup form finally forcing fans from the fireside while Clough, following in father Brian's illustrious footsteps, pits his wits against the North-East side in the latest examination of his embryonic management skills.

Lee, his left leg in plaster - the legacy of chasing car thieves - said: "The tie has really caught the imagination with other outside organisations running coaches as well as the club."

Lee has quietly built a championship-challenging side, although his tilt at the UniBond League title may fall short his season.

But with plans delayed for the new ground move it may not be such a disaster.

This afternoon's tie will be an excellent yardstick by which to measure his side which will be missing 18-goal Andrew Shaw, their leading scorer.

There is understandably no shortage of confidence in the Bishops' dressing room. They have won their last seven league matches and have suffered only one defeat in the last 17 league and cup games - a UniBond League Cup tie at Gateshead.

And Lee, who has been linked with an unlikely return to Gateshead, isn't too worried about facing Clough, whose professional playing career was ended after a loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday three years ago.

Lee said: "We have looked forward to this game since the day it was drawn. They're top of their league, and we're going well in ours.

"We've had them watched a couple of times and we know that they'll be strong opposition. But they're a footballing side and that will suit us.

"We've only lost once in our last 17 matches, and that was a league cup tie. We're playing some excellent football, and creating plenty of chances.

"I was talking to the lads the other night, and they reckon that in every game we play we seem to hit a purple patch for around 20 minutes, when we score a couple of goals. I wouldn't mind having one of those today.

"And we're not too worried about playing away from home, either. We've travelled away in recent seasons and done well."

In previous rounds, Bishops have defeated Whitby and Altrincham - both after replays - and last season went out to holders Kettering in a quarter-final replay.

Bishops' record is good in the competition and it promises to be quite a tie, so don't be too surprised if Lee's side return home with at least a draw.

The competition doesn't hold quite the same attraction for Burton. They came into the tournament at the last round and only 784 turned out for Ryman League side Yeading's visit - Albion's lowest home gate of the season.

The big threat for Bishops could be posed by 12-goal top scorer Darren Pride, their captain who was top marksman last season and who netted against Fisher and got a late winner in a 2-1 success against Newport County a week ago. However, he faces a late fitness test.

It proved an excellent move for Burton when Clough junior entered the world of football management but he knew only too well that following in father Brian's glittering footsteps would not be easy.

He has been at Eton Park for 28 months and recently signed a new three-year deal - but League management is part of his long-term plans.

He said: "Coming in at Burton's level is a very good starting point and I'm learning all the time."

He wants to manage at the top level but at the moment it is not something he thinks about - he is preoccupied with Burton.