Home tie will be reward for Trophy win

GATESHEAD have been drawn at home in the second round of the Buildbase FA Trophy – if they beat Salford City.

Saturday’s first-round tie at Salford was postponed and is scheduled to take place at the Peninsula Stadium tonight.

Should the Heed overcome the National League title favourites they will host Dagenham & Redbridge on January 12.

Goals from Steven Rigg and Tom White gave Gateshead a 2-0 win over the Daggers at the International Stadium in October.

Peter Taylor’s side have improved since then and, although 14th, are currently third in the form table.

Last season’s Trophy semifinalists Gateshead have a tough task ahead of them tonight at second-placed Salford.

The Ammies have the only unbeaten home record in the fifth tier, winning nine of their 12 games.

Saturday’s postponement, the only one in the northern section of the FA Trophy, has left Gateshead with five games in 15 days.

The squad at least benefited from a weekend off ahead of the busy festive schedule.

Manager Steve Watson said: “We would have preferred the Salford game to have gone ahead at the weekend.

“But it gave us the chance to recharge the batteries and I should have a full squad to select from.”

Salford away was the toughest tie the Heed could have got in the northern section, with the second round a national draw.

■■All four North East clubs were handed home ties with Blyth Spartans paired with mid-table top-flight club Boreham Wood.

Spennymoor Town host Bromley having being knocked out by the Ravens last year, while Hartlepool take on AFC Telford United.