Darlington chairman George Reynolds has been forced to scrap plans to stage a potential North-East FA Cup glamour tie with Newcastle United at St James' Park.

The Premiership club has been drawn to play Darlington at Feethams in the fourth round of the cup - providing the Quakers beat Peterborough in the third round next Tuesday.

The draw leaves third division Darlington only 90 minutes away from one of the biggest matches ever staged at the Feethams ground, soon to be vacated for a new stadium on the edge of the town.

But as Feethams can only accommodate 8,820 fans, Magpies chairman Freddie Shepherd offered the Quakers the chance to switch the match to St James', which can hold 52,000.

However, with the FA determined to ensure as many cup ties as possible go ahead as the draw intended, the money-spinning potential of the North-East clash now looks likely to give way to the romance of the FA Cup.

Mr Reynolds said: "I can't argue with the FA. They do not like switching games, so we expect to be playing that one - should we beat Peterborough - at Feethams.

"It's unfortunate, because I can see us turning away 1,800 to 2,000 fans. We can only hope for a draw and get them back to St James' for the replay - that would be wonderful."

If the game had gone ahead in front of a capacity crowd at St James' Park, Darlington would have pocketed an extra £300,000 in gate receipts.

Mr Shepherd said: "We asked Darlington if they would like to play the game at St James' Park if they get through and they agreed."

An FA spokesman said: "The only reasons for moving a cup tie can be on the grounds of safety and security. Games should be played at the ground of the home team unless we receive very strong advice that it should be moved."

Darlington police are in talks with the club regarding the match.