Football: Hednesford rewarded with home tie

Hednesford Town last night received the reward they wanted for taming the Tigers of Hull - a second- round home tie against the winners of next week's replay between Darlington, who lie fourth from the foot of the Third Division, and Solihull Borough, of the Dr Martens League Midland Division.

When it comes to the FA Cup, Hednesford are fast becoming the late 1990s equivalent of Yeovil, Altrincham and Telford. Last season, having eliminated Blackpool and York, they led 2-1 at Middlesbrough with five minutes remaining before Jan Fjortoft and Fabrizio Ravanelli scored to take the then Premiership team through.

Hereford, pinning their hopes on a plum third-round draw to ease the financial crisis at Edgar Street, were less kindly treated by the draw. Having purged their Brighton blues to some extent, Graham Turner's men must travel to Brentford or Colchester.

One non-League outfit, either Cheltenham or Boreham Wood, are guaranteed a chance of being paired with the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal. Gainsborough Trinity also have a powerful incentive in their replay with Lincoln, the winners having been handed home advantage against Morecambe or little Emley.

Police permitting, Wisbech will also be playing their own, spartan confines, against Bristol Rovers or Gillingham. However, Saturday's other survivors from the part-time ranks, Ilkeston, Dagenham & Redbridge and King's Lynn, all face trips to League clubs.

- Phil Shaw