DARLINGTON have been handed a glamour tie in the first round of the Carling Cup after they were paired with League One Leeds United in this morning's draw.
Leeds will visit The Northern Echo Darlington Arena in the week commencing August 10, little more than a month after the two sides meet in a friendly in the North-East.
With Leeds certain to bring a large travelling contingent, the game will provide a timely cash boost a Quakers outfit that should have exited administration by the time the game takes place.
Hartlepool United have an equally stiff task, as they will travel to Championship side Coventry City in the first round.
Elsewhere in the draw, Football League new boys Burton Albion face a difficult away trip to Reading.
"It is wonderful for the club and for the players to make a name for themselves," said new Burton boss Paul Peschisolido. "It's a fantastic draw.
"A lot of my players haven't even had an opportunity to play in the League so this will be a good chance to show what they can do."
Torquay, who followed Burton into the Football League, also face Championship opposition after they were drawn away to Crystal Palace.
Newcastle and Middlesbrough have both received byes into the second round as they were the two highest placed clubs last season.
CARLING CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW:
(Games to be played in the week commencing August 10)
Accrington Stanley v Walsall, Huddersfield Town v Stockport County, Rotherham v Derby County, Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby, Sheffield Wednesday v Rochdale, Bury v West Bromwich Albion, Notts County v Doncaster, Lincoln City v Barnsley, Scunthorpe v Chesterfield, Coventry City v Hartlepool, Darlington v Leeds, Preston North End v Morecambe, Crewe Alexandra v Blackpool, Carlisle United v Oldham, Nottingham Forest v Bradford City, Macclesfield Town v Leicester City, Sheffield United v Port Vale, Cardiff City v Dagenham & Redbridge, Wycombe Wanderers v Peterborough, Southampton v Northampton Town, Barnet v Watford, Hereford United v Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town, Millwall v AFC Bournemouth, Gillingham v Plymouth Argyle, Colchester United v Leyton Orient, Reading v Burton Albion, Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers, Cheltenham Town v Southend, Brentford v Bristol City, Yeovil v Norwich, Crystal Palace v Torquay, Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town, Swansea v Brighton & Hove Albion, Shrewsbury v Ipswich,
** READ MORE NORTH-EAST FOOTBALL NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **
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