IT will be a bittersweet moment for Jake Lawlor when Wrexham continue their promotion push with tonight's crunch preliminary round play-off tie against Eastleigh at The Racecourse.

The centre-back has been a consistent performer since joining the Reds as a replacement for the injured Manny Smith in September.

However, a dislocated shoulder sustained in the 3-1 win against Braintree on April 6 ruled Lawlor out of the run-in and subsequent play-offs, but the 28-year-old will put that disappointment behind him when he cheers on his team-mates from the stands against the Spitfires.

"It couldn't have come at a worse time and unfortunately I am going to miss the rest of the season," said Lawlor.

"You don't want to be sat in the stand for games like this.

"It is not too bad being around the place and not training but when it comes to matchday, it is not great.

"But I will be cheering the boys on. I just want the lads to play well and get the result."

Lawlor, brought in from Salford, is pleased with how his first season at Wrexham has gone personally and team-wise.

"It has helped playing with the back four here and in front of Rob Lainton," said Lawlor.

"There is stability there, it was just a case of coming in and trying to do my best.

"Personally I am very happy with how it has gone and we have done well as a team.

"It has been good so far and we just want to kick-on now in the play-offs; win against Eastleigh and take it into Sunday."

The winners will head to Salford for Sunday's semi-final but Lawlor is just focussed on beating the Spitfires.

"I don't want to talk about that too much," added Lawlor. "We have got to win against Eastleigh first.

"We are very capable of doing so and then take that into Sunday."