BRYAN HUGHES is focused on trying to progress past Eastleigh but the Wrexham boss is plotting his side's route to the Football League.

Wrexham, already guaranteed a play-off spot for the first time in six seasons, came from behind to beat Harrogate Town 2-1 on Saturday to secure a fourth place finish in the National League.

The reward is a preliminary round tie against Eastleigh at The Racecourse on Thursday and the winners will advance to a semi-final clash at Salford City next Sunday.

And although this week's clash against the Spitfires, who clinched seven position, takes precedence, Hughes says it is only natural that he is looking at the bigger picture in the push for promotion.

"As manager you have got to focus on what is next but you have also got to think about the what-ifs," said Hughes.

"What if we beat Eastleigh, what if we beat Salford?

"It is not just up to Salford, we have got to think about the what-ifs over the next two weeks and plan.

"That is always in the back of my mind, that has been going on for the last few weeks.

"Certain things behind the scenes have to happen; we are guaranteed play-offs and we have got to plan as if we are going to go all the way to Wembley.

"Hopefully we will, that is the aim, but we have got two tough games now to hopefully get through before we get there.

"We will concentrate first and foremost on Eastleigh and hopefully put in a strong performance."

Wrexham booked a play-off spot with three games to go and although Monday's defeat at Halifax ended hopes of securing a top-three finish, the Reds were guaranteed a home preliminary round tie regardless of the outcome of Saturday's clash with Harrogate.

The teams could have met this week in a rematch but results on the final day mean Wrexham now face Eastleigh, with Harrogate taking on AFC Fylde for a place in the last four.

"It is nice to know, now you can plan," said Hughes.

"Going into Saturday's fixtures, it was a little bit up in the air. It could have gone either way.

"We have had to do what we want to do. I have said all along I want to win our game and that is four wins out of the last five, it is good form going into the play-offs.

"We won't get carried away. Eastleigh is going to be a different test again and we will look forward to it."

Wrexham boast the best home record in the division and Hughes is looking forward to playing Eastleigh at The Racecourse where victory will leave the Reds 90 minutes away from the Wembley final.

"We know we are going to play Thursday and Sunday now so our weekly schedule will get planned accordingly," said Hughes.

"We come here again at The Racecourse on Thursday hopefully with a big crowd, who will have a big part to play, and hopefully we can get through.

"It is going to be a tough game. The play-offs are a lottery and I am sure Eastleigh will be saying the same in their camp.

"We will go into it full of confidence now, four wins out of the last five; we will take the game to Eastleigh and see how we go."

Hughes rested key players ahead of the play-offs and Nicky Deverdics came off the substitutes bench to score the winner.

"I said from the start I am going to be utilising the whole squad," added Hughes. "Everyone has got an important part to play.

"Sometimes you might find yourself out of the team, out of the squad, but things can change so quickly.

"I have done that many times this season since I have been here.

"One things about Nicky is he is a true professional.

"He trains hard every single day, he has been waiting for his opportunity and I was delighted that he got the end of that; it was a great run and a fantastic finish."