CARL Macauley said on Saturday that he hoped a draw for the FA Trophy first round would give his players an added incentive to progress.

And his wish was granted when Chester were paired with Witton Albion or Boston United, who meet in a rearranged third qualifying round tie tomorrow.

Blues will be the victors’ guests at the next stage, provisionally scheduled for Saturday, December 10.

“If we get a big club, then the lads will be desperate to get through,” said Macauley, who enjoyed a brief spell at the National League side as Steve Burr’s assistant two years ago.

“We’ll always hope for a favourable tie, and I’m no different to every other manager in saying the best I can ask for is to be at home.

“It can give you a boost though, particularly after the lads were left absolutely gutted at the game being abandoned at the weekend.”

Albion had led 1-0 against the Pilgrims, thanks to a fifth-minute goal scored be ex-Chester striker Rob Hopley, before referee Benjamin Speedie called a halt to their meeting at half time after dense fog enveloped Wincham Park.

Boston return to town tomorrow, kick off 7.45pm.

Shaw Lane, rivals for Witton in a race for promotion from the Northern Premier League’s Division One South, will host higher-ranked Lincoln City.

Stocksbridge Park Steels, who shared four goals with Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday, will visit FC United of Manchester or Nuneaton if they win a midweek replay.

Draw

FA Trophy First Round

Ties to be played Saturday, December 10

1 Gateshead v King’s Lynn Town
2 Farsley Celtic or Tamworth v Southport
3 Solihull Moors v Matlock Town or FC Halifax Town
4 Shaw Lane Association v Lincoln City
5 Gainsborough Trinity or Alfreton Town v North Ferriby United
6 Kidderminster Harriers v AFC Telford United
7 FC United Of Manchester or Nuneaton Town v Stocksbridge Park Steels or Stalybridge Celtic
8 Harrogate Town or Salford City v Barrow
9 AFC Fylde v Mickleover Sports or Brackley Town
10 York City v Curzon Ashton or Worcester City
11 Chorley or Stafford Rangers v Guiseley
12 Witton Albion or Boston United v Chester
13 Wrexham v Tranmere Rovers
14 Altrincham or Blyth Spartans v Macclesfield Town
15 Stockport County v Darlington 1883 or Marine
16 Ebbsfleet United v Woking
17 Chelmsford City v Hitchin Town
18 Dagenham & Redbridge v Worthing or Hemel Hempstead Town
19 Harlow Town v Eastleigh
20 Whitehawk or St Albans City v Poole Town or Weymouth
21 Braintree Town v Torquay United
22 Margate or East Thurrock United v Aldershot Town
23 Dulwich Hamlet v Hampton & Richmond Borough or Royston Town
24 Welling United v Hythe Town
25 Maidenhead United or Wealdstone v Wingate & Finchley
26 Dartford v Dover Athletic
27 South Park v North Leigh
28 AFC Sudbury v Gosport Borough
29 Sutton United v Bath City
30 Forest Green Rovers v Truro City
31 Boreham Wood v Maidstone United
32 Bromley v Leiston or Eastbourne Borough