ONE question is surrounding Warrington Town's crucial FA Cup second-round encounter on Sunday - is this the club's biggest ever match?

The older generation of Town fans will never forget reaching the 1987 FA Vase final at Wembley, despite falling to a 3-2 loss at the hands of local rivals St Helens Town.

Fast forward to 2014, and the Yellows have a genuine chance of producing another FA Cup upset - after the defeat of Exeter City - and reaching the elusive third round.

Victory at Gateshead on Sunday would not only give the club another cash injection, it would set them up for a possible showdown with one of English football's elite sides.

Having played in the famous final in '87, Derek Brownbill, who also went on to manage the club, admitted he is torn between which fixture is bigger for the club.

"It is really hard to compare the FA Vase final and this weekend's match," he said.

"I played at Wembley and it meant everything, it was a great experience for me and I will always remember it.

"We didn't have the finances that the clubs nowadays have and the money involved in the FA Cup can transform clubs like Warrington Town.

"But money can also count for nothing if you don't perform."

Shaun Reid's men have brought in additional recruits ahead of the match and Mr Brownbill acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead.

"Gateshead are going well in the Conference, so it will be tough," said the former striker, who notched up one appearance for Liverpool's first team in his career.

"But I am sure we will give them a run for their money, hopefully we can start the match well and then go from there.

"The whole town is behind the club but I'm not really surprised as cup games seem to bring it out of people."

After witnessing the heroic victory over Exeter at Cantilever Park, Mr Brownbill was sad to realise that he could not make the trip to the north east but is hoping for a replay.

"I am going on a Santa train with my grandkids on Sunday and so won't be able to get to the match but I hope it is a draw so there is a replay," he added.

"If there is, I will definitely be going."

* Don't miss a free colour poster backing the Yellows and a full preview to the FA Cup date with Gateshead in this week's Warrington Guardian.