Linnets lead the way to Wembley

King’s Lynn Town manager Gary Setchell is hailing his Linnets as heroes after their 1-0 win at Worksop left them flying the flag as the only Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club definitely through to Second Round of the FA Trophy.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division South high-fliers were rewarded with a home tie against Conference Premier AFC Telford in Monday’s last 32 draw at Wembley and Setchell said: "We’re buzzing but the lads will have been stiff yesterday morning. It was an unbelievable performance, a superhuman effort. You’ve got to take your hat off to all 11 of them. They were absolutely first class. I’m so proud of them."

The Linnets have now disposed of Barwell, Carshalton Athletic, Eastbourne Borough and Worksop and Setchell added: "We know we’ve beat the teams at home but this was a mammoth task. They beat Chester FC here – destroyed them – and they’re top of the Conference North. This was a mountain. I’ve got a special group of players here. I’m speechless really."

Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Matlock welcome another Conference Premier side, Mansfield Town, to Causeway Lane on Tuesday night in their First Round Proper Replay after Mark Atkins’ side came from a goal behind to draw 1-1 at the weekend. A victory will earn the Gladiators another home tie against either Dorchester Town or Luton Town.

Tuesday night also sees the third of the Evo-Stik NPL’s four remaining representatives, First Division North title-chasing Skelmersdale United, go again against Conference North Boston United. Tommy Lawson’s side drew 1-1 away in Lincolnshire and will be rewarded with a home tie against another Conference North outfit, Guiseley, if they can complete the job at the West Lancashire College Stadium.

Evo-Stik NPL Buxton battled to a 0-0 draw at Conference Premier leaders Grimsby for one of the results of the day on Saturday and replay on Wednesday night. The winners at Silverlands take on either Braintree Town or Havant & Waterlooville for a place in the competition’s last 16 and £6,000 in prize money.

FA Trophy Second Round Draw

1 Dartford v Merthyr Town or Tonbridge Angels
2 Stockport County v Southport
3 Maidenhead United or Sutton United v Oxford City or Bishop’s Stortford
4 King’s Lynn Town v AFC Telford United
5 Bromley or Boreham Wood v Kidderminster Harriers
6 Forest Green Rovers v Gainsborough Trinity
7 Tamworth v Corby Town
8 Cambridge United v Gateshead
9 Woking v Welling United
10 Wrexham v Solihull Moors
11 Chesham United v Hyde or Barrow
12 FC Halifax Town v Maidstone United
13 Hereford United v Hampton & Richmond Borough or Chelmsford City
14 Grimsby Town or Buxton v Braintree Town or Havant & Waterlooville
15 Boston United or Skelmersdale United v Guiseley
16 Mansfield Town or Matlock Town v Dorchester Town or Luton Town