SCOTT QUIGLEY is pretty happy how the third round fixture list worked out.

Born in Shrewsbury and with obvious home-town affiliations, Quigley has made no secret of his love for Wrexham after scoring a goal every other game during a 16-match spell at The Racecourse six years ago.

That’s why he wouldn’t want to miss Sunday’s cross-border showdown for the world - and the 30-year-old striker, who is now back in the National League with Eastleigh, says he’ll have no problem getting a ticket.

“It’s worked out perfectly for me but don’t ask me who I want to win,” said Quigley, who will be in Newport today hoping to lead The Spitfires to a giant-killing at Rodney Parade.

“Everyone knows I have a soft spot for Wrexham. I loved my time there on loan. I got eight goals and I couldn’t believe we didn’t make the play-offs after Dean Keates left to take charge at Walsall.”

One of those goals during his loan spell from Blackpool came against Chester, which only added to his appeal among the Wrexham faithful.

Quigley’s career took him to Barrow and Stockport where he twice won promotion from the National League before Wrexham finally ended 15 years of non-league hurt last year.

And Quigley remembers Wrexham’s last season in the Football League.

“I’m a Shrewsbury fan; in fact I was at the game when Wrexham lost 3-0 in their final season in League Two in 2008,” added the former New Saints star.

Nine days after that defeat at The New Meadow, Wrexham’s fate was finally sealed not too far down the A49 at Edgar Street in Hereford on April 22.

April 22 2023 marked Wrexham’s renaissance as they secured top spot in the National League much to Quigley’s delight.

“It was great for Wrexham to finally make it,” added Quigley. “I was made up. I remember calling Andy Cannon. Me and him were at Stockport together. And although it was only for two or three months, we got on like a house on fire.

“It’s good to see him doing well this season, they’ve started well and have a good chance of promotion again.

“It was only going to be a matter of time before they went up with the money the Hollywood guys have thrown at it.

“The Welcome To Wrexham documentary has given them publicity all over the world but it’s important the club keeps it’s original identity.

“Wrexham fans have been loyal; they were the season I was there and I remember the atmosphere for the Chester and Tranmere games. It was superb.”

Quigley may have experienced The Racecourse roar again if things had worked out differently two years ago.

“I actually met Phil Parkinson for talks in Ruabon,” revealed Quigley, who instead opted to move to Stockport after an impressive 35-goal return in his 76 games for Barrow.

His journey has now taken him to Hampshire where ambitious Eastleigh are hoping to make it through to the end of season play-offs.

“I feel I needed a change and Eastleigh came up,” added Quigley, who has struck up a decent frontline partnership with the much-travelled Paul McCallum, who is the league’s top scorer with 22 goals.

“Hampshire’s a lovely place and I’ve moved down here and am enjoying it. We’re doing okay. Macca’s doing well and I’ve got nine goals and nine assists.

“We’ve just got to keep going in the New Year and hopefully we can put in a good performance at Newport in the FA Cup. It would be great to get through to the fourth round draw.”

Eastleigh are one of three National League sides to make it through to round three.

Runaway National League leaders Chesterfield head to Watford tomorrow while Aldershot make the trip to West Brom on Sunday.

Maidstone United - managed by former Chester defender George Elokobi - are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition and the National League South side host Stevenage tomorrow.