IT WAS no surprise that Accrington Stanley were drawn against fellow League Two side Mansfield in the FA Cup as it is history repeating itself.

The first round tie will take place at Field Mill a week tomorrow (Sat, 11 Nov) and Stanley, as a league side, can't seem to escape the 11th placed Stags.

In 1959-60, the Reds were beaten 2-1 by Mansfield. However they got their revenge the following year - their final full season in the Football League - when, after beating Barrow, they overcome Mansfield 3-0 in the second round. In the third round that year, they faced First Division Preston and battled to a 1-1 draw before losing 4-0 at Peel Park in front of 14,596.

"It is a tough draw," said captain Peter Cavanagh. "We haven't done too well in the FA Cup over the last few years as we have been knocked out by Leigh and Worcester but we have tempered that by doing well in the league. I am sure the chairman will be happy if this season we can have a run to put some money in the coffers."

The winners receive £16,000.

  • THE draw for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will be made tomorrow (Sat) on Soccer AM on Sky 1. Stanley beat Blackpool to reach the Northern quarter-finals. The teams left in the Northern section are: Stanley, Chester, Crewe, Darlington, Doncaster, Mansfield, Port Vale, Oldham or Chesterfield.