Both Carlisle United and Barrow have home ties in the first round of the FA Cup.
Last night’s draw paired the Cumbrian clubs with rivals from League Two.
Carlisle will host Tranmere Rovers while Barrow will entertain Mansfield Town.
It’s a double date for Carlisle as they travel to Prenton Park for a League clash with Tranmere the week before-hand on October 29.
There’s likely to be fireworks then – as often happens when teams meet up on consecutive weeks – with the FA Cup game at Brunton Park set for November 5.
Making a return to Cumbria will be Dynel Simeu, the Southampton defender who was a popular loanee at United last season.
He’s now in a similar role with Tranmere and proving a key figure in their recent run of good form.
It will be the fifth time the clubs have met in the FA Cup with Rovers ahead 3-1 on the previous clashes.
Barrow lost 1-0 at home to Mansfield on October 8 so the FA Cup clash gives them the chance to even the score.
More importantly will be picking-up winning ways before then, particularly in the League where they have dropped from second to eleventh with four successive defeats.
They get the chance to score an overdue victory when they host Carlisle tonight in the Pape John’s Trophy.
They will then have four League games to play before the November 5 date with Mansfield.
