COUNTY caretaker boss Mark Lillis will get his chance to convince club owners Cheshire Sport to make his position permanent on Thursday.

Lillis's ambition to become Stockport boss will have been much enhanced by Saturday's upbeat performance against Swansea.

The game may have ended in a 0-0 stalemate, but County looked a far more dangerous proposition than in recent weeks.

"All I can do right now is just get on with the job," said Lillis. "But I will be talking to our managing director Kevan Taylor on Thursday.

"If it ends up with someone else taking over next Saturday, then I'll just say good luck to them."

The club have compiled the CVs of applicants for the manager's job with interviews expected to take place this week.

After Saturday's draw County must now travel down to the Vetch Field for a second round replay a week on Tuesday.

Denied

But they could have won the tie at the first attempt with sub Stuart Barlow being twice denied by keeper Willy Gueret, first with a block when the striker was through on goal and then with a save from a low header.

But Swansea had their first chances to win the game, particularly when Lee Trundle crashed a shot on to the County crossbar.

"I was proud of the players," added Lillis, who was given the caretaker position following Sammy McIlroy's departure ten days ago.

"It was a good performance all round. As a caretaker manager you cannot ask more than having the respect of the players.

"We are in the hat and that is what is important. It's going to be very hard down there, but well be giving it a go.

"We've got players out there who are playing for the shirt."

But there will be two fewer in County shirts in tomorrow night's league game at troubled Wrexham.

Striker Warren Feeney and keeper James Spencer are both out after limping off with ankle injuries.

Lillis said he would be talking to goalkeeping coach Joe Corrigan about the possibility of bringing in back-up for Neil Cutler, who replaced Spencer.

Do you think Lillis is up to the job? Have your say.

Tweet