NIALL MCGUINNESS hopes it’s “third time lucky” as Flint Town United target a semi-final spot for the first time in 66 years.

McGuinness’ Silkmen do battle with Cymru North rivals Prestatyn Town for a third time this season tonight, the Flintshire club coming out on the wrong side of both previous encounters.

Flint have been far from outclassed, losing 3-2 at the Essity Stadium after missing a penalty, before suffering a 1-0 defeat at Bastion Gardens just six days ago.

And McGuinness, January’s Cymru North manager of the month, is confident his side have what it takes to finally get one over the second tier’s runaway leaders.

“Spirits are high amongst the lads and they are fully confident after last week,” said McGuinness. “It should be a great game of football and it’s a massive night for the club and it’s recent history. Night’s like this one prove the club is moving in the right direction, it’s been a long time since Flint have had this sort of occasion.

“Getting to the semi-finals would be a huge achievement and it should be a great occasion on a night dedicated to Lofty (Kevin Loftus), who sadly passed away.

“Hopefully the fans come out and make it a great atmosphere in-front of the television cameras.”

With little between the two teams this season and the tie needing to be settled on the night, have Flint practised penalties?

“I think a penalty is a natural thing, so we haven’t practised them,” said McGuinness. “I will select penalty takers, but I’m not one for practising them.”

McGuinness has been poring over footage of last week’s narrow loss at Bastion Gardens, which left the title firmly in Prestatyn’s grasp, as he attempts to get the better of Neil Gibson’s table toppers.

“I don’t think we played well,” said McGuinness, who made his players watch the 90 minutes back last night. “We were organised, but with the ball we were nowhere near the quality we usually show. I don’t know whether the lads were nervous or a there was a lack of confidence, but we didn’t reach our usual level and that’s something we will be looking to put right.”

Despite Flint failing to hit the heights that has left them in pole position for a second successive runners-up finish, the Silkmen were left ruing their luck - not for the first time this season.

Richie Foulkes put the ball in the back of the net in the first-half half only to see his header ruled out.

“He starts behind the defender and even when he heads it in he’s behind the defender,” bemoaned McGuinness, who knows what to expect from visiting Prestatyn.

“Gibbo is a man of principles and he doesn’t come away from them,” said McGuinness. “They’ve got two systems they work with and I’d be surprised if they go away from those because that would be going against his style.”

Flint have been dealt a blow with Alex Titchiner suspended after picking up two bookings in the competition, while Danny Andrews remains sidelined through injury.