Alty have been drawn against Gateshead at home in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup this afternoon.

Following nine consecutive away draws in the competition – omitting the potential home tie against Charlton last season had we overcome Gateshead – we finally get a home draw and an opportunity to face the team that knocked out us last year.

This is the fourth time we have drawn a team from Gateshead in the FA Cup.  Prior to last year's encounter, we have a win and a loss to our credit.  In 1974 we played Gateshead United (a different club to the current day manifestation) in the Second Round Proper and won 3-0 with goals from John Hughes, Roy Hughes and Ian Morris in front of 3200, and earn a visit to Goodison Park to meet table topping Everton.  It was a different story in 2010 when a game in the 4^th Qualifying Round saw the Tynesiders run out 2-0 winners at The J. Davidson Stadium.

This is our 16^th home draw in the Fourth Qualifying Round, and we have progressed to the First Round Proper on nine occasions, most recently against Matlock Town in 2016.

Ties will take place on the weekend of October 15^th with the winners making it through to the First Round Proper when EFL teams enter the competition.