A massive day ahead for the club as Rob Hunter's side seek to upset the odds against our Evo-Stik League Premier Division hosts in front of a likely four figure crowd. The Mariners - managed by former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Graham Fenton - are currently second in the table after victories over Nantwich Town and Stalybridge Celtic, and will be eager for a repeat of last season's run to the Fourth Qualifying Round in which they lost out narrowly to former league neighbours Hartlepool United.

Our Tyne & Wear opponents aren't the only team in good form of course, and with the pressure off, Town will be looking forward to testing themselves after our own run of four games unbeaten.

There's only been one previous meeting between the two sides. This came on 26th April 2000 in the very same competition. Played at the neutral venue of Sunderland RCA's Meadow Park, Dave Henry was on target for Dave Harrison's side but it wasn't enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat.

Sanchez Payne is unavailable for this one, but defender Alex Lowe will return after being forced out minutes before kick-off through injury last Saturday.

Join us if you can, hope to see you there. Up the Miners!

Away travel info can be found here.

For anyone who can't make it, be sure to follow @thegarforthtown for the latest!

Should there be a need for a replay, this would take place at the Bannister Prentice Stadium on Tuesday 11th September, kick-off 7:45pm, replacing our league fixture against Knaresborough Town.