THE Football Association yesterday made the draw for the early rounds of the FA Trophy and it saw Darlington handed a home tie against either Mossley or Harrogate Railway Athletic.

The two teams will face each other in the preliminary round with the winners heading to Heritage Park to face Quakers in the first qualifying round on October 31.

Darlington defeated both teams home and away last season, beating Mossley 3-0 and 3-1, while Harrogate RA were beaten 7-1 and 5-1.

Spennymoor Town are in the preliminary round and have been handed a tough tie at Glossop North End.

Glossop won the North West Counties League last season, and lost in the FA Vase final at Wembley against North Shields.

If Moors win that game, then they will be at home to Goole in the first qualifying round.

Also, in the qualifying round, Blyth Spartans are at home to Kendal or Scarborough, while Whitby go to Workington.

The early draws for the FA Cup were also made yesterday. Quakers are exempt from the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds and will start the competition at the first qualifying round stage on September 12.

They will learn their FA Cup opponents after the preliminary round has been played on August 29.

Spennymoor are in the preliminary round and will be away to Harrogate RA.

The extra preliminary round draw sees some attractive ties, including a local derby with Bishop Auckland at home to Shildon. West Auckland must go to Bedlington, while Newton Aycliffe travel across to Lancashire.

Meanwhile, Darlington play their first pre-season friendlies today with two matches away to Durham City. The reserves start at 1.30pm with the senior teams kicking-off at 3.30pm. Admission is £5 and £3.

Nathan Cartman will not play as he is getting married, team-mate Rob Youhill will be a guest at the wedding, while left-back Ian Watson is also unavailable as he is also attending a wedding.

Striker David Dowson is unavailable as he is currently undertaking a sponsored bike ride from Brussels to Paris. The 320-mile four-day ride is in aid of Sunderland FC’s Foundation of Light.