Crook Town manager Alan Oliver will point to the example of Jarrow Roofing when they go to Arnold Town in the last 16 of the FA Vase today.

Crook, who started the competition as 250-1 outsiders but are now down to 25-1, have battled their way through from the early qualifying rounds to the last-16 of the competition, a run that has captured the imagination of the town and they now have a chance to clinch a quarter-final place for the first time in their history with over 400 travelling fans behind them.

They go into today's game as underdogs again, and Oliver said: "I'll be telling the players about Jarrow Roofing from our league and what they did last season.

"They weren't expected to do well but they kept battling away in every game they played and they eventually went out in the semi-finals to the competition's winners. They weren't fancied to do well, just like us.

"We hope to follow in their footsteps, but we know that it will be a tough game.

"I watched Arnold play in midweek and they're a very fit team, but hopefully we've got a game plan to beat them.

"We're the underdogs but we've been underdogs a couple of times in the run, and look what's happened."

Striker Danny Mellanby is expected to recover from an ankle injury in time for the game, while Oliver has failed in an attempt to bring Dean Gordon back to the club after he was released by Blackpool. He is now training with Chester City.

Newcastle Benfield, from the ANL First Division, are also on their travels, to Squires Gate from the North West Counties League.

Benfield manager Paul Baker will choose from a full side against Squires Gate, who are lying midway in their league, just as Benfield are in the ANL.

The former Hartlepool Untied striker said: "I've had them watched and had a couple of reports about them, but I'm a big believer in how we do ourselves, and not worry about the opposition.

"It seems that both sides are on a par with each other, so it's going to be a typical tight cup tie. We must be switched on for it."