RAINWORTH MW will be hoping to make it third time lucky when they begin their FA Trophy campaign at home to Southern League Central outfit Leighton Town today.
The Evo-Stik NPL Division One South club will be making their third attempt at progress in the competition after falling at the first hurdle in their two previous tries since promotion from the Northern Counties East League.
And the tie will represent another chance to earn some FA competition prize money, after the disappointment of missing out in Wednesday night's FA Cup replay at neighbours Carlton Town.
The Wrens had led 1-0 at the break from Callum Lloyd's early candidate for 'goal of the season', but missed numerous more chances and let the tie slip from their grasp in the second half to lose 3-1.
The tie turned on Carlton striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas's equaliser early in the second half, when he was allowed to escape the attentions of three defenders.
Manager Kevin Gee said: "Up to that point we never looked in any danger and I thought we were going to get two or three more ourselves.
"But one striker gets the better of three defenders in one go, it's 1-1 and Carlton are given the extra impetus.
"That's now three times this season when we have lost a game which on balance of play and chances created we should have won comfortably.
"Carlton will be there or thereabouts again this season, and we have matched them over two games.
"But we would have had to score four goals to beat them and against a side like Carlton that's a huge ask.
"Last season we made ourselves hard to beat, this year we are competing and creating, but we are not rounding it off.
"If that means we have to bring in one or two more players then so be it."
Gee has secured the signature of Hucknall Town striker Karl Slack, although he will not be available for the FA Trophy tie.
Gee said: "Karl's a good player, he gets goals, he works defences, and he will be available when we return to bread and butter league action next week."
"I'm also looking to add one more front man and to add another central defender."
Looking forward to the Trophy tie, Gee added: "Financially it's a big game for us after missing out on £3,000 in the Cup, so we need to be at our best to win it."