THE streets of a County Durham town were buzzing yesterday with the prospect of a mighty David and Goliath battle.

Shildon residents were basking in the sporting spotlight after their football team earned an FA Cup clash with one of football's most famous clubs.

For the first time in 42 years, Shildon FC have won through to the first round proper of the competition after an impressive 6-0 defeat of Stocksbridge Park Steels, from Sheffield, in Saturday's fourth qualifying round.

It is the kind of fairy tale that fans of the Northern League side have only fantasised about to date.

Chairman of the town's chamber of trade, Brian Stoker, has vowed to shut his butchers shop so he can travel down to Nationwide League Second Division Notts County for the huge clash on November 8.

Notts County is the world's oldest football club.

Mr Stoker said: "I am definitely going down and if that means shutting the shop for a day, then so be it.

"I think Shildon will be a ghost town on the day because this is all everybody is talking about. There will be nobody in the town.''

Peggy Martindale, from Martindale's taxis, in the town, said she had already had at least one confirmed booking for a coach to go to Nottingham and other inquiries.

She said: "I am thrilled to bits for the lads. They have worked hard to get this far and I wish them all the best."

Many traders are planning to decorate windows with the team's purple colours.

Adrian Rowland, landlord of the Royal George pub, said that the majority of pub regulars had already planned their trip.

He said: "Some are going on the train and there are at least three coaches full already. We've heard it will be live on BBC, so those who cannot go will be watching it on the big screen."

For club chairman Gordon Hamilton and the die-hard fans that stand on the terraces every week, it is a moment of pride.

Mr Hamilton is even dyeing his hair purple and black to celebrate.

He said: "This is fantastic. I think we will be taking at least 1,000 fans with us. I keep pinching myself to make sure this is real."