WREXHAM are flying high in the National League but goalkeeper Mark Howard treats the “special” FA Cup as a welcome distraction and wants to keep the run going by securing a place in round three.

Last Saturday's 2-0 win against Aldershot Town took Phil Parkinson's side back to the top of the table but the focus switches to the famous cup competition tomorrow.

The in-form Reds, unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions, face National League South side Farnborough in the second round at The Racecourse.

Howard would liked to have had the chance to continue picking up valuable league points in the push for promotion but the 36-year-old, who has started every game this season since his summer move from Carlisle, is looking forward to the FA Cup tie.

"Obviously being top of the league is something that we have been aiming for and we want to continue with," said Howard.

"But the cup games sometimes are a welcome break.

"With the form we are in, it would have been nice to carry on with the league but the FA Cup is something special for us all.

"We all love playing in the FA Cup and we are all looking forward to it, it should be a good game.

"It is another game against lower league opposition but we know that they will be more than up for it.

"Hopefully we can get through."

The winners will progress to the third round and a possible glamour tie against one of the Premier League giants but Howard would just want to be playing at The Racecourse, where Wrexham boast a 100 per cent record this season, should they progress.

"We'd all love a glamorous away tie but hopefully we get another home tie," said Howard.

"With our home form as it is, we would fancy ourselves against anybody."

Wrexham made it 12 home wins in a row after seeing off Aldershot.

The leading scorers in the division, the Reds have also kept five clean sheets in their last six outings and Howard says the shut-outs have been a collective effort.

"Defensively we are putting together some good performances and the lads in front of me are doing a great job," said Howard.

"It makes my job a lot easier!

"The lads have really dug in and defended well from the front;, not just the defenders, the two strikers and the midfielders are working hard.

"Ultimately it effects the whole team performance.

"Performances have been really good on the whole and results have been superb."

Howard might be ever present in 2022-23 but he is not resting on his laurels.

Rob Lainton, who sustained a serious wrist injury in March, is on the comeback trail and been an unused substitute in the last four games, Christian Dibble is making good good progress after undergoing knee surgery while Rory Watson is waiting in the wings.

"I can only concentrate on what I am doing," added Howard.

"We have got four very capable goalkeepers at the club and we are all pushing each other every day.

"Dibs is close to coming back to training with us, Rob and Rory are training every day and pushing me every day.

"We all push each other. We have got a good, close-knit unit, all the goalkeeper work together really well but we all know there is only one of us who can play.

"I am not resting on my laurels, I just keep working hard and doing what I do."