NORTON are ready to welcome the biggest crowd in their history when they take on FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup third qualifying round this afternoon.

The visitors, who were formed by rebel Manchester United season-ticket holders protesting against the club’s sale to the Glazer family, are expected to bring more than 1,000 supporters.

The Ancients’ record attendance is 1,430 for a friendly against Middlesbrough, but boss Conrad Hillerby is hoping to better that as his Northern League outfit take on a side who have won three promotions in four seasons en route to the Evostick Premier.

“This is history for us,” said Hillerby. “We’ve never been this far so it is big in that sense, but financially it is massive too. If we win, it will set us up for the season, so we’ll really give it a go.

“We usually get about 150 (spectators) so this has been a headache organising extra burger vans and toilets, and arranging car parking and volunteer stewards.

“It will be a big operation and we have worked closely with the police to get it right.

There has been a real buzz around Norton over this.”

Norton will be without their former Darlington midfielder Nathan Mulligan, but Shaun Clarke returns to the team in centre midfield. Defender James Alderson will have a late fitness test.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest is hoping his side can pull off one of the shocks of the round at Workington.

The Railwaymen are hoping to go one better than West Auckland in the previous round. West led the Conference North side until the closing stages, and Forrest said: “We’ve got a run down of Workington from West Auckland, and I believe we’ve got a chance of winning.”

The Railwaymen, who will have a big following at Borough Park, will give fitness tests to defender Phil Brumwell and striker Steve Johnson.

Two other Northern League clubs tackle clubs from the Conference North. Whitley Bay travel to Guiseley, who defeated them in the competition last season, and manager Ian Chandler will choose from a full squad, with his only decision on who to play in goal, either Terry Burke or Karl Hayes. Midfielder Lee Kerr is suffering from flu, but is expected to be fit.

Chandler, whose side has already beaten two Evostik League clubs to get this far, said: “We know they’re a good strong side, but we’ve also got our match-winners.”

Ashington are at home to Droylsden, who beat Darlington in the first round two seasons ago.

It might be early days in theskilltrainingltd Northern League, but bottom club Esh Winning daren’t lose their league game at home to Ryton.

Esh, under the new management of Peter Mulcaster, have yet to win in 13, and in midweek were hammered 7-0 at Newcastle Benfield.

Andrew Dobbie, Ian Ward , Lee Newby and Marc Nixon return to the Esh squad.

Ryton have recruited a new team, mainly made up from manager Peter Johnson’s Sunday outfit.

League leaders Consett are at home to Penrith, and they’ll be missing midfielder Andy Cuthbertson, while winger Mark Eccles is doubtful because of injury. They have put Ben Johnson, Andy Snaith and Richard Forster on the transfer list.

Penrith have had three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player in their home win over Jarrow Roofing in August. Roofing have been given the option of asking for a replay.

Spennymoor are at Billingham Town, and include new midfielder David McTiernan, while they are hoping to sign defender Stephen Harrison from Blyth. Striker Craig Hubbard is missing with a hernia problem.

Town give new signing Andy Jennings from Stokesley his debut.

Bedlington, who are third, will climb above Shildon if they beat Tow Law. Striker Wayne Gredziak returns, while new defender John Hewitson is included in the Lawyers squad. Player-manager Ian Johnson is out for at least another fortnight because of injury.

Bishop Auckland, who have lost twice to Billingham Synthonia this week, are at South Shields and welcome back striker Adam Emson to the squad. Shields are missing defender Duncan O’Brien.

West Auckland could go into the top eight if they beat Billingham Synthonia at Darlington Road, but they will be without defender Andrew Green, who is injured. Midfielder Chris Renshaw has come off the transfer list.

Synners are without strikers Colin Iley and Michael Jameson because of injury, but defender Andy Forster and midfielder Liam McPhillips return.

Sunderland RCA can climb away from the danger zone if they beat third bottom West Allotment. They will be without former Darlington midfielder David Duke, but Michael Coghlan returns. Allotment are hoping to sign striker Andy Dugdale from Newcastle Benfield.

Dunston, who are in eighth, go to Newcastle Benfield, four places above them, and they include new striker Tony Stephenson, signed from South Shields, but midfielder Lee Bell is suspended.

Stokesley, who are fourth bottom, face Jarrow Roofing and have doubts over midfielder Leon Poole and striker Bryan Stewart.

In the second division, second- placed Newton Aycliffe have an attractive home game against Whitehaven, who are unbeaten in eight league matches. New defender Chris Beckett makes his home debut after signing from West Auckland, but striker Craig Nicholls is unavailable.

Leaders Guisborough, one point ahead of Aycliffe, are at home to Gillford Park and welcome back striker Chris I’Anson, but Lee Bythway, Mark Nicholson and Joel Guy are missing.

Gillford have yet to play a home game this season because of problems with their landlords.

Crook, who have won eight successive home games, face Seaham at the Millfield, and manager Brian Maitland will put Paul Bennett in goal because Ian Myers is unavailable.

Midfielder Anthony Dobell will have a fitness test.

Chester-le-Street are at Marske United, and will give midfielder Robbie Draper a fitness test. Marske are missing midfielder Josh Myers, who has a broken leg, while midfielder Dale Mendum and striker Rob Jones return. Neil Waterfield has returned after a spell at Pickering Town.

Darlington RA player manager Nick Harrison will have a fitness test before their home game with Hebburn, as will Kyle Swankie. Hebburn include striker Dan Olusoga, signed last week from West Auckland, while Daniel Hall and Danny Gray hope to return.

Northallerton meet Horden, both clubs struggling in the bottom four. Northallerton striker Neil Tarrant is unavailable, while defenders Craig Winter and Danny Shoulder will both have fitness tests. Horden will be missing injured defender Paul Greenwell.

North Shields are at home to Birtley, and give fitness tests to Stephen Robinson and Andy Wright, while Birtley have five players missing because of injury, but striker Sean McAvoy returns.

Washington include new defender Martin Quinn, signed from West Auckland, and striker Andy Inness from Esh Winning for the trip to Team Northumbria.

Bottom club Brandon, without a point, are away to second bottom Morpeth.