Rivalries will be put to one side ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated FA Cup tie when Bury and Radcliffe players will pay respect to Paul Hilton - the Boro chairman who suddenly died last weekend.

The initial draw produced a wave of excitement after the derby rivals were paired against each other, however, it will be an emotionally-charged occasion with both sides laying wreaths before kick off.

In what could be a difficult day on and off the pitch for both teams given the circumstances, assistant boss Tim Lees says Bury plan to “give it a go”.

“We are (underdogs) for the first time,” said Lees following Tuesday night’s 2-1 win against Stockport Town.

“With the league they are playing in and the players they have got, they are a very strong side.

“They have strengths everywhere, they don’t have many weaknesses at all. It is going to be a really big challenge for us but we will give it a go.

“We will go with the intention we have every single game. We will prepare on Thursday, we will have a plan and try to impose the way we want to play on them. Ultimately, this is the biggest test we have faced so far this season.

“The fans have been absolutely unbelievable in every FA Cup game, as they are every home game.

“Every tie we have had, the players say all the time it feels like we are at home. It is a derby, it will be an intense game and hopefully we can do them proud.”

Sam Coughlan and Rustam Stepans both got on the scoresheet against Stockport Town at Gigg Lane on Tuesday as Dave McNabb’s men extended their unbeaten start to the campaign.

“We are pleased overall,” Lees added. “First half, we played in moments. We controlled it well and the movement was good but we were just missing a bit in the final third.

“We were building well but just needed to speed it up a bit. When we worked it wide or between the lines, we were slightly negative.

“As soon as we upped the tempo second half, I thought we looked strong. We created a lot of chances, got in behind them a lot more and had more intent with our play. I thought we were in control from then.”

Stepans has now scored three goals in as many games and is already up to double figures for the campaign.

“He is mixing it up really well,” Lees explained. “The timing of his movements has really improved in the last few games – whether it is the movement to move inside and drive at centre-halves, or isolating one-v-one on the sides. He is starting to really develop and add bits to his game.”