We enter the Emirates FA Cup at the second qualifying stage looking to put recent years’ performances in the competition behind us when we host Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

Last season we lost at this stage 3-0 at home to South Shields and since 2012 we have only won one tie in the competition, a victory at Heritage Park over West Auckland. 

We come into the game having kept clean sheets in both our last two games as we have gained four points. 

Bradford come into the game fourth in our division but have not won in their last three matches. Last season they reached the playoff semi finals before losing out 1-0 to Brackley.

Our last meeting saw us come away 1-0 winners in February thanks to a David Syers strike.

There is some good prize money at stake on Saturday, with £9,000 up for grabs.

The game will be covered by Darlo Fans Radio, the official website and Twitter, with plenty of reaction afterwards

Darlington

Team news: Defender Terry Galbraith and forward Simon Ainge are both fit again, and are included in the squad.

Joe Wheatley and David Syers will have late fitness tests.

Leading scorer:  Reece Styche 5

Last six matches

September 15^th Southport (away) drew 0-0

Maddison, Trotman, Jonny Burn, Hughes, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Henshall (sub Saunders 65), Glover, Nicholson, Thompson, Styche

Subs: Stansfield, Aaron Burn, Galbraith, Morrison

September 8^th Telford United (home) won 3-0 Nicholson, Saunders, Thompson

September 1^st Alfreton (home) lost 0-1

August 27^th Ashton United (away) drew 2-2 Thompson, Saunders

August 25^th Altrincham (home) lost 0-3

August 18^th Kidderminster (away) lost 2-5 Ainge, Nicholson

Bradford PA

Last six matches:

September 15^th Altrincham (home) lost 2-3 Killock, Branson

 Drench, Toulson, Lowe (Nowakowski 82′), Wroe (Spencer 87′), Killock (c), Havern, McKenna, Branson, Beesley, Dawson (Johnson 70′), Clee.

Unused substitutes: Ross, Boshell.

September 8^th Chester (away) lost 3-5 McKenna, Beesley, Johnson

September 2^nd FC United (away) drew 2-2 Killock, og

August 27^th Boston (home) won 1-0 Johnson

August 25^th Hereford (away) won 2-1 Branson, Johnson

August 18^th Stockport (home) drew 1-1 Nowakowski

Last season

Darlington 2 (og, Gillies) BPA 1,  BPA 0 Darlington 1 (Syers)

Connections: Darlington striker Simon Ainge will be playing against his old club – he played 46 games for them in 2015 and 2016.

Bradford City midfielder Adam Nowakoswki will be playing against the club he left early last season.

If Saturday’s game ends in a draw (there is no extra time) then the replay will take place at the Horsfall Stadium on Tuesday night, the 25^th September, kick off 7.45pm