Sky-high hopes of Fleetwood boss Pressley

The 1-1 draw at Barnsley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area Final on Saturday set up a mouth-watering second leg at Highbury on February 2.

With home advantage, Pressley believes Town have what it takes to make it to a showpiece Wembley final against Millwall or FA Cup giantkillers Oxford.

Town boss Pressley said: “I’d imagine our game is one they’d consider for Sky. It’s set up for a wonderful second leg.

“It will be a brilliant occasion, with such a prize at the end of it.

“I really hope we can attract a sell-out crowd.

“It’s a game which gives both sides a big opportunity to go to Wembley.

“It’s a wonderful occasion and we’re really excited about it.”

Town didn’t hold back in the opening encounter of the two-legged tie, taking the game to Barnsley and taking the lead when Ash Hunter’s cross was turned into his own net by Tykes keeper Adam Davies

Manchester United loanee Ashley Fletcher levelled things up but Fleetwood will be favourites with the home leg to come.

Pressley made it clear there was never any thought of going to Oakwell for a draw, insisting such a strategy might have done more harm than good.

He said: “The chairman asked me how I was going to go about things, but the way we train and the way I want us to play is very positive.

“Sometimes if you change from that I don’t think it sends out the right signal to the players.

“At this moment in time, our players think we can go to places like Barnsley and win, and I don’t want to change that mentality.

“The performance shows that they do have the belief.

“The worst case scenario is that you want to be in the tie. But I reminded the players before the game and at half-time that we weren’t there just to be in it.

“We wanted to win. We wanted to put a real stamp down.

“In the end I was satisfied to be going back with a draw.

“We’re playing exceptionally well at Highbury and we’ve got a really good record here.”

There was special praise reserved for the 300-plus Fleetwood fans who made the trip to South Yorkshire.

“It was a great turnout from our supporters,” said Pressley.

“I asked them to follow us in their numbers. They did that and they got behind the team.”

If Sky Sports were to pick the Highbury rematch for live coverage, it could be moved back 24 hours to Wednesday February 3.

A decision is likely to be made by the broadcaster after Oxford and Millwall play the first leg of the Southern Area Final on Thursday.