The draw for the second round of the FA Cup has been made, with 12 non-league teams still dreaming of a place in the third round and a potential meeting with Premier League opposition. Slough Town, a sixth-tier side, will host fellow National League South outfit Macclesfield in a tie that could see the lowest-ranked team left in the competition take another step towards the spotlight.
Other all-non-league clashes include Chelmsford City against Weston-super-Mare, both from the National League South. Stockport County, the highest-ranked team still in the tournament as League One leaders, have been drawn at home to Cambridge United. Bolton Wanderers, meanwhile, face a tricky away trip to Swindon Town.
2013 winners Wigan Athletic needed penalties to see off Hemel Hempstead in the first round and have been rewarded with another home tie, this time against Barrow. Carlisle United produced one of the shocks of the weekend, with super-sub Regan Linney scoring a hat-trick to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Reading and win 3-2. The fifth-tier side will now travel to Blackpool.
The second round features more clubs from League Two (15) than League One (14), reflecting several upsets in the first round. Notts County are among the higher-profile casualties, having lost to Brackley Town. One first-round fixture remains: Tamworth host Leyton Orient on Monday night, with the winners travelling to Salford City in round two.
Second-round matches will be played from Friday, December 6 to Monday, December 8. Premier League and Championship sides will enter the competition in the third round, with Crystal Palace the defending champions.
