Former Oxford United manager Malcolm Crosby has stepped in to help Didcot Town as they prepare for Saturday's FA Vase semi-final, second leg away to Jarrow Roofing.

Crosby, now youth team coach at Premiership outfit Middlesbrough, has offered the Railwaymen the chance to train at Boro's state-of-the- art training ground.

It's come about as Didcot chairman John Bailey and Crosby played together at Cheltenham in the Southern League, and they have remained good friends ever since.

Bailey said: "We keep in contact quite regularly, and Malcolm phoned me up before the Bury game wishing us all the best.

"When I told him we had Jarrow in the semi-final, I asked him if he knew of any training facilities up there, and it was then that he offered us the chance to train at Middlesbrough.

"It's a fantastic training facility - one of the best in Europe - and I'd like to thank Malcolm for giving the lads the chance to train there.

"Steve McLaren would also have been there had it not been for the England game - but Malcolm is going to spend some time with us - and it's a great gesture."

Manager Stuart Peace said: "It's fantastic to be able to train there. I think we're going to have an hour or so there, and then spend Friday evening relaxing, having a meal and just preparing for the game."