MALDON TOWN manager Russell Tanner said a Ryman League promotion and East Anglian Cup double would be a great reward for all his players' hard work this season.

That's why, despite fielding a depleted squad, he will be going all out to beat EAC quarter-final opponents Halstead Town under the Park Drive floodlights tonight.

Tanner said: "With the way things are going for my lads this season the East Anglian Cup is a nice distraction for everyone and this a good cup competition to be involved in.

"We certainly won't be taking Halstead too lightly and even though I will be resting five or six boys who played in our 5-3 league win at Waltham Forest on Saturday, we'll be ready for whatever team Halstead put in front of us. These games present us with a great chance to rotate our squad and I know the boys that come in will do a good job."

Halstead boss Jody Brown will be without several players for their trip to Maldon.

Paul Abrahams, Mark Emerson, Danny Rowell and Jamie Wright are all likely to miss out, as the Ridgeons League division one promotion-chasers go in search of their second cup final of the season.

Brown said: "In all honesty, it's a game we don't need right now with our injury list.

"Having said that, what an opportunity for our younger players to challenge themselves and perhaps take an early look at what the future could offer them."