A TRIP to Evo-Stik Premier League leaders Skelmersdale United lies in wait if Darlington overcome Blyth Spartans at the second attempt in this evening’s FA Cup replay.

They could not be separated during Sunday’s first qualifying round tie, Blyth keeper Peter Jeffries keeping out Quakers by saving Terry Galbraith’s second-half penalty.

Blyth lost 1-0 when they visited Skelmersdale a week ago, one of four defeats in eight league matches Spartans have suffered, while Sunday’s result at Heritage Park means Darlington have won only one of their last five games in all competitions.

Manager Martin Gray, however, believes his side’s displays over the past week have merited more than draws against Farsley and Blyth.

“We deserved wins in both games, no question,” said Gray. “Without going over old ground, we gave a goal away in the last minute last Wednesday and on Sunday we should’ve won after all the chances we created.

“I never felt it wasn’t going to be our day. Even though Blyth nearly pinched it at the end, I had belief we would get another chance and it’s important the players think that way.

“The positives are that we kept a clean sheet against a team with some good players from the division above us. They’ve got game-changers and the attacking play from the wide areas was good. We dealt with them well and should be through to the next round of the Cup.”

Gray will be without Amar Purewal and David Dowson at Croft Park due to hamstring problems, so Ryan Noble is in contention to start. He hit the post twice on Sunday and won the penalty.

Gray will consider starting Alan White and Leon Scott. Both were rested on Sunday due to minor injury concerns.

Jeffries, meanwhile, has revealed some degree of preparation was involved in his terrific penalty save.

The former Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor Town goalkeeper said: “Me and our goalkeeper coach John Bottensien were texting each other about penalties and we looked at where they hit their penalties.

“A lot of the time their lad goes top corner on both sides and this time I went top left and guessed right.

“I think we rode our luck and obviously they have hit the post more than once, but I thought we were excellent at the back and I have to say I thought Nathan Buddle was outstanding.

We battled hard and earned the draw.”

Admission at Croft Park this evening is £10 adults and £5 concessions. An extra £1 is required to sit in the Port of Blyth stand.

FA CUP DRAW

AT least one North-East team will make the penultimate qualifying round of the FA Cup after the draw for the second qualifying round was made.

The winners of tonight’s all- Northern League replay between Dunston UTS and Marske United will be at home to Spennymoor on September 27.

Moors manager Jason Ainsley said: “It’s another tough game against sides who are flying high in the NL. If we play like we did when we beat Bishop Auckland we won’t progress, simple as that.”

Newcastle Benfield, the only Northern League club through so far, have been drawn away to Buxton from the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Manager Neil Saxton said: “My first thought is that it’s a tough tie, but we’ll go there prepared.”

Shildon have a big incentive for tomorrow’s replay at Whitby, with a home tie against Stalybridge from the Conference North the reward.

Ashington are at Scarborough Athletic tonight, and if they win, they travel to Manchester in the next round to play Curzon Ashton.

Draw (as it affects the North-East): Curzon Ashton v Ashington or Scarborough Athletic, Shildon or Whitby v Stalybridge, Buxton v Newcastle Benfield, Skelmersdale v Darlington or Blyth, Marske or Dunston UTS v Spennymoor.