Bishop Auckland manager Tony Lee feels that his side learned a lot from their FA Trophy tie at Burton Albion last Saturday.
Bishops went out 2-0 to Nigel Clough's side, which is top of the Dr Martens League and favourites for a place in the Nationwide Conference.
"I think some of our young players learned something from the game," he said.
"Burton outworked us to an extent, and maybe one or two of our lads froze a little bit.
"They were a well-organised side who didn't give much away at all, but for some of our young players it will be a very good experience.
"The best is still to come from this team, and I'm sure that when we play in the Trophy next season, we will be all the better for the experience.
"Burton maybe had four chances in the game and scored two, we had five or six chances, but didn't score."
Lee, on crutches because of a leg injury received when giving chase to would be car thieves at his home, had a few words with the injured Clough, who sat in the stand for the game.
"He was very complimentary about the way we played," said Lee.
Burton are away to Scarborough in the fourth round on February 3.
Blyth Spartans are through to the fourth round after beating Hyde United 2-1 in their third round tie on Tuesday night.
Spartans took the lead after 27 minutes when former Darlington full-back Carl Pepper drove home, then Gary Innes headed the second on the hour. Hyde pulled a goal back right at the death.
Spartans have been drawn at home to Ryman League club Maidenhead United who are in the lower half of the Premier Division and having suffered 14 league defeats, Spartans have a good chance of making progress.
Gateshead manager Paul Proudlock has asked his former Middlesbrough teammate Gary Gill to help with coaching.
Proudlock and Gill played for Boro before they went their separate ways a decade ago. Proudlock appeared for Carlisle among others, while Gill picked up two championship winners' medals with Darlington. Gill has been working for BBC Radio Cleveland but is keen to try his hand at coaching.
The UniBond League Cup tie between Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland on Tuesday night was called off because of a frozen pitch less than half an hour before kick off.
The match referee was concerned about one area of the pitch, and decided to postpone the game.
No date has yet been fixed for the rearranged fixture.
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