SUNDERLAND will travel to League Two side Port Vale in the FA Cup first round.

The Black Cats enter the FA Cup at the first-round stage for the first time in more than three decades, and their opening fixture will take them to Vale Park on the weekend of November 9-12.

Port Vale, who are managed by former Gateshead boss Neil Aspin, are currently 16th in League Two, and have never previously met Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Sunderland’s last league trip to Vale Park came in 1998, and resulted in a 2-0 victory courtesy of an own goal from Aspin and a goal from Niall Quinn.

Hartlepool United booked their place in the first round on Saturday, and their reward for a qualifying-round win over Kidsgrove Athletic is a trip to League One side Gillingham.

Pools will travel to Priestfield Stadium hoping to pull off an upset, with the Gills currently struggling in 19th position in the League One table.

Gateshead saw off fellow North-Easterners Dunston UTS at the weekend, and Steve Watson’s side have been handed an away game at League One Rochdale in the first round.

York City beat Blyth Spartans to make the first round proper, and like Hartlepool and Gateshead, they will also meet Football League opposition next month.

The Minstermen will head to the County Ground to take on League Two side Swindon Town, who are managed by former Hull City boss Phil Brown.

Harrogate Town take on Wrexham in a qualifying-round replay this evening, having drawn their original tie at Wetherby Road at the weekend. If Harrogate win tonight, they will travel to National League South side Weston Super Mare in the first round.