Oxford United were getting a real scent of Wembley after the FA Carlsberg Trophy draw gave them a home tie in the quarter-finals.

They will play Kidderminster Harriers in the last eight on Saturday, February 20, with a great chance of reaching the two-legged semi-finals.

Kidderminster won 1-0 at Worcester City in Monday night’s delayed third-round tie.

Coincidentally, the U’s take on the Harriers at the Kassam Stadium in the Blue Square Premier this Saturday.

The ‘Big Three’ automatic promotion rivals – Stevenage Borough, Oxford United and York City – have been kept apart in the draw, which increases the possibility of a high-calibre final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 8.

Holders Stevenage, drawn at home for the fourth successive round, host Blue Square North side Workington.

York, third in the Blue Square Premier, travel to the winners of Tuesday night’s Barrow v Gateshead clash.

United manager Chris Wilder, who went to spy on Kidderminster on Monday night ahead of Saturday’s league clash, said: “There are some real good sides left in the competition.

“Going back on past quarter-finals, I’d be very surprised if there have been many years when the top three in the league have still been there.

“And the three have been kept apart, which makes it interesting.

“We’ve got a decent away record, and we fancy ourselves at home, so we’re hopeful of doing well in this competition. It’s all about getting through the tie.

“In the next round we’ll need to show a real desire, and professionalism, just as we did in difficult conditions with that hard pitch at Chelmsford.”

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Stevenage Boro v Workington, Cambridge Utd or Salisbury City v Guiseley or Tamworth, Barrow or Gateshead v York City, Oxford Utd v Kidderminster Harriers. Ties on Saturday, February 20.

THE Blue Square Premier’s potential title-decider, between Stevenage and Oxford United, which had been scheduled for Saturday, February 20, has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 30.