We’re looking for more Cup glory on Sunday when we travel to Bristol Rovers for our second round tie in the Emirates FA Cup.

Having already beaten Swindon in the first round, we’re confident that we’ll cause a shock at the Memorial Stadium, especially after winning our last four away matches in league and FA Cup.

However, even though Rovers are just two places below Swindon, they have just changed their manager, and they’re expecting an improvement.

Can we reach the third round for the first time since 2003, and for the first time as a fan-owned club? The game is being televised live on the BBC Red Button and I player, and also on the BBC website with commentary by Sohail Sahi.

Updates are being shown with all the other Sunday FA cup ties on the BBC 1 Final Score programme, which begins at 1.15.

Unfortunately for contractual reasons, there will be no I-follow or Quaker TV, but the game is being covered on Darlo Fans Radio by Michael Cansfield and Darlington legend Allan Walsh.

Darlington:

Team News:

Erico Sousa is ineligible, he’s played for Tadcaster already in the FA Cup

Nicky Hunt is back in the squad after recovering from his head injury.

Michael Liddle is out because of a hamstring injury.

Will Hatfield, Omar Holness and Tony McMahon expect to return after injury.

Quakers form (League and cup): WLLWWWWLWWL

Leading scorers in all comps: Adam Campbell 5, Luke Charman 4, Jarrett Rivers 3

League position in National League North before games on Saturday 28^th November:  12^th (played 7, won 3, lost 4, goals scored 11 conceded 8, points 9)

Recent matches

24^th November v Bradford PA (home) lost 0-1

Team; Saltmer, Hedley, Laing, Atkinson, Watson, Wheatley (sub Hudson 86), Reid, O'Neill, Sousa, Campbell (Sub Rivers 64), Maguire (sub Charman 31)

Subs: Minter, Storey

Highlights: 

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-highlights-from-bradford-park-avenue-game

21^st November v Alfreton (away) won 2-0 Sousa, Campbell

17^th November v Guiseley (away) won 4-1 Sousa, Maguire 2, Campbell

14^TH November v Telford (home) lost 1-2 Sousa

10^th November v Boston United (home) abandoned after 87 minutes

7^th November v Swindon Town (Away) won 2-1 Campbell 2

31^st October v Curzon Ashton (away) won 3-0 Campbell, Reid, Rivers

24^th October FA Cup 4Q Cambridge City (home) won 2-0 Charman 2

13^th October FA Cup 3Q Tadcaster (home) won 6-1 Donawa 2, Storey, Liddle, Rivers 2

And here's our FA Cup run so far:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/build-up-to-sunday-our-emirates-fa-cup-run-so-far

Bristol Rovers:

Rovers parted company with their manager, Ben Garner a fortnight ago after they lost home to Fleetwood, and appointed former Exeter boss Paul Tisdale.

Recent form:  WLWLD

Leading scorer: Brandon Hanlan 5 (He is expected to return after injury)

Position in League One after the midweek games: 21^st  (64 places between the two clubs)  Won 3, drawn 4, lost 6, goals for 11, goals against 20, points 13

Here are the thoughts of manager Paul Tisdale on Sunday's game:

https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/paul-tisdale-darlington-preview/

24^th November Wigan (away) drew 0-0

Rovers: Anssi Jaakkola (G), Luke Leahy, Josh Grant, Max Ehmer ©, Ed Upson, Sam Nicholson, Luke McCormick (Zain Westbrook 65'), Josh Hare (Alfie Kilgour 77'), Jack Baldwin, Erhun Oztumer (Josh Barrett 65'), Ali Koiki (Zain Walker 65'). 

Unused subs: Jordi van Stappershoef, Ben Liddle, Cian Harries.

21^st November Swindon (away) lost 0-1

Rovers: Anssi Jaakola, Josh Hare, Cian Harries (Zain Westbrook '74), Max Ehmer (C), Alfie Kilgour, David Tutonda (Ali Koiki '87), Josh Grant, Ed Upson, Luke McCormick (Jack Baldwin '87), Sam Nicholson, Brandon Hanlan.

Subs: Jordi van Stappershoe Cam Hargreaves, Zain Walker, Erhun Oztumer.

18^th November EFL Trophy Chelsea Under 21s  (home) won 4-3

14^th November Fleetwood (home) lost 1-4

7^th November Walsall (away) won 2-1

Connections: Rovers midfielder Ben Liddle is the son of Darlington hero Craig

Previous meetings:

6^th November 2010 FA Cup 1^st round

Darlington 2 (Brough, Smith) Bristol Rovers 1 (Hoskins), attendance 1602

Russell, Miller, Hone, Brown, Brough, Smith, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hatch, Wright (sub Main 75), Senior (sub J Gray 84) Moore

Rovers: Green, Regan, Sawyer, Coles, Anthony, Lines, Hughes, Brown (Richard 86), Reece (sub Swallow 63), Hoskins (sub Akinde 30), Kuffour

2006-2007 League Two Darlington 1 Bristol Rovers 1, (Martin Smith scored in the last minute) Bristol R 1 Darlington 2 (Blundell, Cummins)

2005-2006 League Two Darlington 1 (Johnson) Bristol Rovers 1, Bristol Rovers 1 Darlington 0

How to follow the game:

BBC Red button and I player

BBC website

Darlo Fans Radio

Official website

Official Twitter