Cup's giant-killers are drawn together

Gravesend and Northfleet and Cinderford were drawn together last night for the right to play in the FA Cup third round.

Lionel Ball, the chairman of Gravesend, who are one division above Cinderford in the Beazer Homes League, said he was disappointed to miss out on the chance of seeing his team beat another Football League club.

Ball, who is expecting a pounds 25,000 windfall from the 2-0 defeat of Colchester on Saturday, said: "My reaction when I heard the draw was a mixed one, but it does give us a good chance of going further."

Cinderford, who defeated Bromsgrove to reach the second round for the first time, have never played a League side.

Telford, of the GM Vauxhall Conference, who went as far as the fifth round in 1985, when they lost at Everton, will be hoping to add to their list of victims with a home tie against Notts County.

Also in the northern section, Blyth Spartans' reward for beating Bury is another away trip - to Stockport, the side they knocked out at the same stage back in 1971.

Barrow, who play in the Unibond League with Blyth, have a chance to relive some of their past glory with home advantage against the winners of the Wigan v Runcorn replay. There is the possibility of a third all non-League clash with Enfield or the Isle of Wight club Newport at home to Woking if they beat Barnet at the second attempt.

Hitchin, who beat Bristol Rovers on Saturday, have the chance of a revenge game against Wycombe. Last year Wycombe, who play Gillingham tonight - won 5-0 at Hitchin at this stage. Hereford, eliminated by Hitchin at the first hurdle last year, face the danger of further ignominy against the established giant-killers of Kidderminster or Sutton United.

FA CUP Second round draw: Northern Section: Barrow v Runcorn or Wigan; Stockport v Blyth Spartans; Telford v Notts County; Rochdale v Darlington; Blackpool v Colwyn Bay; Scunthorpe v Shrewsbury; Bradford City v Preston; Altrincham or Crewe v Mansfield; Hull or Wrexham v Chesterfield. Southern Section: Torquay v Walsall; Hereford v Kidderminster or Sutton United; Fulham v Canvey Island or Brighton; Oxford United v Northampton Town; Wycombe or Gillingham v Hitchin Town; Peterborough v Bognor Regis Town or Ashford Town; Cinderford Town v Gravesend & Northfleet; Swindon Town v Cardiff; Newport (IoW) or Enfield v Barnet or Woking; Bournemouth or Bristol City v Brentford or Farnborough; Kingstonian v Plymouth (Ties to be played 2-3 December).