Shildon players had a little taste of FA Cup glory as they got their hands on domestic football's most coveted trophy yesterday - two days before the club's biggest game in four decades.

As the countdown to the Railwaymen's cup clash with Stocksbridge Park Steel, of Sheffield, gathered pace the club got a brief chance to bathe in FA Cup glory.

As the Football Association's featured side, Shildon's Dean Street ground played host to the prestigious FA Cup yesterday afternoon.

Cup fever has been sweeping through the County Durham town since a 3-1 victory against Shirebrook gave them a place in the fourth qualifying round of the competition.

The club now aims to fire themselves into the first round proper of the competition for the first time in 42 years.

Chairman Gordon Hampton said: "Shildon has had to wait far too long for a taste of success.

"The club is over 100 years old and has a strong history, the whole town is backing us to make it into the FA Cup draw with victory on Saturday.

"We are just one game away from really great times, it is very exciting and there is a real buzz around the place."

Players lined up to get their hands on the Cup and scores of supporters and schoolchildren turned out in force to get their photographs taken with the famous silver trophy.

Team captain Danny Key joked: "Lifting the Cup is good training ahead of the final in May - we're already planning a trip to Cardiff!"

Despite being the underdogs, Shildon are confident they can put up a good fight in tomorrow's game.

Manager Ray Gowan feels that the advantage of a home tie, after three away fixtures so far in the competition, could help them give the town a day to remember for years to come.

Shildon manager Ray Gowan said: "It's an excellent draw. No ties are easy, but it could have been much, much harder now that the Conference teams are in it. It is a great incentive to do well." Stocksbridge are third bottom of the UniBond League First Division - one division above Shildon.

Gowan added: "With the commitment of our chairman and the players this is the best side I have ever had at the club in 11 years and if we get our fans and the town right behind us, and play to our potential, we could be in dreamland by 4.45pm on Saturday."

Three other North-East clubs are in FA Cup action tomorrow with Blyth Spartans taking on Nationwide Conference outfit Chester City at Croft Park while Whitby Town travel to Bromsgrove and Dunston host Lancaster.

Should Shildon win they will be in the draw for the first round at which stage North-East neighbours Darlington and Hartlepool come into the competition. The draw takes places at 5.05pm tomorrow afternoon.