Two of the Northern League title contenders have been drawn together in the FA Vase last 16.

Whitley Bay, the winners of the Vase for the last three seasons, have been drawn at home to West Auckland, who are playing at this stage for the first time in their history. West Auckland manager Peter Dixon said: "There's no pressure of being second favourites to win the competition now, because we're away to the favourites! I'd rather play them at their place than at Wembley, because they're unbeaten there! We'll look forward to it, because it's a big game for us, we're in the last 16 for the first time ever."

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: "I half-expected to be drawn against another Northern League team. They've beaten us twice already this season in league and league cup, so maybe they're favourites to win!" To make the clash even tastier, the two teams are due to play each other in the league just a week before on February 4th at West Auckland. The Vase tie itself is almost certain to draw a crowd of over 1,000.

Ashington, the other SNL team definitely through, are away to Shortwood from the Hellenic League. Manager Gary Middleton said: "We're drawn away again for the third time in a row, but a game that will be tough no doubt as we're into the last 16 teams in England, but a game we will not fear.We have a great bunch of players that believe in their own ability and fear no one.We have gone to Spennymoor and Newport Pagnell and come away with the result we wanted, so we will go away with the same desire and application to pull off another performance that will hopefully be enough for us to progress into the last eight."

If Dunston win their replay against Wisbech this Saturday, they will be at home to Bethnal Green from the Essex Senior League.

And if Billingham Synthonia win their replay at Runcorn, then they will be at home to Bournemouth from the Wessex League. Synners assistant manager Lee Tucker said: "We're happy with a home draw but we obviously face a massive test on Saturday before we can start to think ahead to the next round."

Matches are due to be played on February 11th.