Shildon have their eyes on a lucrative reward when they travel to Bottesford in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup today.

Victory today will not only earn the winners some healthy prize money of £3,000, but also a possible lucrative tie in the next round against someone like York City, Darlington, Stockport or Spennymoor.

“It’s a great incentive,” said manager Danny Moore. “We’d love to face one of the big boys, but obviously we have to win today, and that won’t be easy.

“We’re going into the unknown today. We know a little bit about them, but I’d rather concentrate on what we do, and not think too much about them.

“We’re still unbeaten this season, and we’re going there in very confident mood. We gave a very good performance against West Auckland on Monday, and we’ve already won twice in the competition. If we play to our best, then Bottesford will have to outplay and outbattle us. We won’t be left wanting in that regard.”

The Railwaymen will have a full squad to choose from today.

Bottesford, who are based near Scunthorpe, play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, and are currently fifth bottom of the table.

Bishop Auckland, whose confidence has been boosted by their first win of the season over Penrith on Monday, have a tough test away to Marske United in the EBAC Northern League.

Striker Mattie Moffat is suspended, another striker Ian Ward is injured, as is striker Michael Hoganson. Ryu Williamson and Stuart Thompson will both have fitness tests, while another striker, James Fairley, has joined Marske and is all set to play against his old club providing all the paperwork goes through in time.

Manager Colin Myers said; “Monday was the first time this season that we had played as a team, and not as individuals. Everyone worked hard for each other.”

Marske are the only club in the first division with a 100 percent record, with four wins from four games.

Newton Aycliffe are at home to Team Northumbria, and they welcome back several players who missed Monday’s defeat at Marske United, but defender Dan Mitton is still unavailable.

Aycliffe are looking for their second league win of the season, and manager Deano Browne said; “We know that Team North are a young side that try to play but we are looking forward to the challenge and hopefully a positive result.”

West Auckland, who are second in the table unbeaten after seven games, are at Washington and they will give winger Arran Wearmouth and forward Ben Wood fitness tests, while defender Michael McKeown is unavailable.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “We dropped four points over the weekend with goals conceded in injury time so it’s important we get back to winning ways.”

In the second division, unbeaten joint leaders Tow Law are at home to Chester-le-Street, and they will give a second home game to new signing Lewis Teasdale, who scored a hat trick in midweek. Top scorer Dean Thexton, who has scored seven this season, returns to the squad, and there will be fitness tests for Lewis Harrison and Ian Maddison.

Chester, who haven’t won in four games, are without Craig Marron and Kieran Megran, and manager Colin Wake said; “We are expecting a really tough test against a side full of first division players.”

Northallerton, the other joint leaders are looking for their seventh straight win at home to Brandon, and they will have a full squad that includes keeper Tom Dawson, recently signed from Bishop Auckland. Brandon welcome Michael Searby back into their squad, but they’re still without Luke Thompson and Dan Quine.

Crook Town face Bedlington at the Millfield, and several players will return to the squad as they hope to improve on their seventh place in the table.

Manager Wilf Constantine said; “We hope to keep our good run going and climb the table. We have coped well over the last two or three weeks with important players missing and we are hoping to push on.”

Durham City are looking for their first win in six matches at home to Ryton and Crawcrook, but they will be missing Jeremy Allen, Sam Joyce and Craig Hennis all injured, while Steve Malloy and Ross Simpson are both doubtful, but Jack Wilkie returns.

Manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “It will be a tough game as Ryton have started the season well. We need to take three points as we have played well in the last two games but come away with a draw on both occasions. We need to turn draws into wins.”

Esh Winning, who are fifth bottom, are at home to Alnwick , and they are without six players for various reasons, but Nick Marley and Mark Fish both return.

Manager Tony Boakes said; “We need a much better performance than our one in midweek at Brandon. “ Darlington RA, who have lost their last two matches, are at Hebburn, and manager Peter Mulcaster will probably make changes following their defeat by Northallerton on Monday. Striker Mark Sims is out because of suspension.

Willington who dropped to bottom in midweek after their defeat at Tow Law, are at Thornaby.