BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith is under pressure to have his lucky pants framed and put on display in the board room if the club can book their place at Wembley in the FA Vase Final this weekend.

The suggestion has come from Sporting chairman Mike Burke, but Smith insists he's resisting the idea.

But before Smith's undies are put on public display, Sporting must make sure they improve on Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cleethorpes when they travel to Lincolnshire on Saturday for the semi-final return leg.

Smith admitted: "If someone had offered me a draw before the game with Cleethorpes, I probably would have taken it. We started like a house on fire and soon went 1-0 up.

"If we could have gone in 2-0 ahead by half time, I'm sure the second half would have been a completely different game.

"But Cleethorpes came out fired up after the break and levelled. We came back at that strongly in the last 10 minutes and that has led me to believe we have nothing to fear from them in the second leg.

"I've always said from day one this season that my side is good enough to beat anyone at our level or the level above. If we go to Cleethorpes and produce our A game, it will be good enough to see us through."

Sporting will leave nothing to chance and will travel to Cleethorpes on Friday for an overnight stay.

Smith explained: "I took the decision to go on Friday and the board have backed me. It took me three hours to drive there in the car and the journey would take nearer to four hours on the coach, which isn't ideal.

"I've booked a hotel where there's a swimming pool and sauna which the players can use on Saturday morning.

"We've got four hours to get rid of before the game, so I've made sure the players won't be doing nothing."

Whatever the outcome on Saturday, Sporting have little time to dwell on events as they are set to visit Racing Club Warwick on Tuesday in a Midland League Division One match.

Sporting's title prospects improved this week when second placed Leicester Road were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Heath Hayes.

It leaves top of the table Sporting five points clear with a game in hand.

Smith added: "The league is still paramount and the Holy Grail as far as I'm concerned. Regardless of the result at Cleethorpes, we will get the game out of our system at Warwick."

Busy Smith has also boosted his squad this week by bringing back versatile John Pykett, who has been playing professional football in Australia.

Pykett, who can play up front, or wide on either flank, has already trained with the side prior to receiving his international clearance, although he won't be eligible for Saturday's trip to Cleethorpes.

On a lighter note, Smith has also repelled an audacious attempt by the players to shell out any further money towards their end of season Benidorm fund.

Smith was approached by skipper Craig Jones after the game with Cleethorpes who suggested he should cough up another £50 as Luke Edwards scored, albeit in his own net.

The proposal was quickly rebuffed.