Morpeth Town manager Nicky Gray admitted that his players are full of confidence after their FA Cup win at Bradford Park Avenue.
The Highwaymen succeeded where Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Gateshead and Spennymoor Town have all failed this season in beating their National League North hosts.
Former Blyth Spartans midfielder Sean Reid and the in-form Joe Walton both scored twice to help Gray’s side to a 4-2 win at the Horsfall Stadium.
They are now just two wins away from taking the club into the First Round proper for the first time in their history and the Highwaymen manager admitted that he is confident his side can continue their cup progress.
“The first-half was a bit hairy and they came at us a bit,” explained Gray.
“They had a go, caused some problems, but we took a lead into half-time.
“We were much better after half-time, they ran out of ideas and we did well to get the win.
“We are 120 minutes away from the First Round and we know it’s going to be difficult.
“We have won our last five games in a row, we are confident and it’s great for the club.
“Whoever we get, we will be ready for them and it’s a one-off game in any cup competition.”
Morpeth could face a reunion with former player Chris Swailes after his Dunston UTS side made light of an injury crisis by battling to a 2-1 win at BetVictor NPL North West rivals Marine to secure their place in Monday’s Third Qualifying Round draw.
Liam Brooks and Michael Pearson were on target for Dunston and they will join North East neighbours Morpeth, Gateshead, Darlington, Spennymoor Town and Blyth Spartans in the hat – although the latter will have to negotiate a replay against Curzon Ashton at Croft Park on Tuesday night.
Memories of last season’s Fourth Qualifying Round tie against neighbours Gateshead are fresh in the mind for Swailes – and the three-time FA Vase winner admitted that he would love another North East derby in the next round.
He told ChronicleLive: “Last season, we played teams higher than us like Chester and North Ferriby and we enjoyed it.
“This year we have played teams below us and we have been taken to replay – but on Saturday we knew what to expect from Marine and we got our way past them.
“We are in the draw with clubs like Spennymoor Town, Blyth Spartans, Gateshead, Darlington and Morpeth.
“I would love to get one of those sides at home because a North East derby would get a big crowd through the gates – just like we saw it last year against Gateshead.”
South Shields and Marske United rounded off an impressive weekend for the region’s Northern Premier League clubs.
The Mariners were missing several key players for their home game against fellow promotion contenders Basford United.
But a first senior goal from on-loan Sunderland defender Jordan Hunter and a second-half strike from Josh Gillies helped Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s side to a 2-0 win against the Nottinghamshire outfit.
The result also takes the Mariners to the top of the Premier Division table on goal difference.
Marske United produced their biggest win since securing promotion into the Northern Premier League as they moved into a second place in the North West Division with a 6-0 hammering of Droylsden.
Curtis Round led the way with a hat-trick and Lewis Maloney, Matty Waters and Craig Gott also found the net in a clinical display from Carl Jarrett’s men.
