FA Trophy preview | Three NPL teams left standing

Both Basford United and Stockton Town triumphed against teams two leagues above them and downed National League opposition in the previous round, while Gainsborough Trinity maintained their excellent cup pedigree this season by defeating National League North strugglers Rushall Olympic.

All three will face National League opponents in Round 4, with just 32 teams remaining in this season's competition.

But, how are things looking for all three heading into their latest cup forays?

Potter's Basford hoping for an upset

For Northern Premier League strugglers Basford United, they will hope a change in manager will do little to alter their fortunes in the cup.

Luke Potter was unveiled as their new manager over the festive period - hours after the club accepted the resignation of previous boss Martin Carruthers, who only returned for his second spell in the dugout back in March.

Potter, who previously served as assistant to Steve Kittrick between 2022-24, led the Lions earlier in the campaign while Carruthers was on compassionate leave.

His two matches since taking the reins on a permanent basis have led to defeat - the latest a 5-0 thrashing at Ilkeston Town on New Year's Day.

And while Basford have now lost six successive matches, they have - on paper, at least - the easiest fourth round tie, welcoming Eastleigh to Greenwich Avenue.

Currently residing in mid-table in the National League, Eastleigh have reached the Last 16 in two of the last five seasons.

But having found form in recent weeks, the Spitfires will be keep to avoid a potential banana skin - their last defeat in all competitions coming on November 9.

Gainsborough secure glamour tie

Not content with a dream televised tie at Football League Harrogate Town in the FA Cup little over a month ago, Gainsborough Trinity continue to impress in cup competition.

While the Holy Blues may have bowed out of that competition with a battling 1-0 defeat, they earned plenty of admirers and will look to perform more cup heroics this time around. 

Their reward for toppling Rushall in the last round of the FA Trophy is a home tie against York City - the current National League frontrunners.

A difficult festive period saw Russ Wilcox's side fall to three successive league defeats, but he will be hoping a change in competition can help his players find the spark needed to challenge the very best in this competition.

'Nothing to lose' for Stockton Town

While their two Northern Premier League counterparts will be hoping home comforts can serve them well, there'll be no such luxury for Stockton Town.

The Anchors continued their FA Trophy adventure with a 2-0 victory over former heavyweights Oldham Athletic in the last round, and standing between them and a place in the Last 16 are Oldham's fiercest rivals, Rochdale.

The two will meet at the Crown Oil Arena, with Dale - relatively newcomers to the non-league pyramid - playing just their third-ever game in this competition.

Stockton, meanwhile, made a timely return to winning ways in the league by overcoming Whitby Town 2-0 on New Year's Day.

Although the odds may appear to be stacked against them in the FA Trophy, assistant manager JD Briggs has urged the squad to enjoy the occasion as they look to produce another giant killing.

“We are relishing it," he told Anchors TV.

"We have got nothing to lose for the game. They [Rochdale] have got bigger things to worry about and are in a similar position to Oldham, looking to get back into the Football League.

“We just want this roll to continue. We have got nothing to lose, and we just want to go out to try to win the game.”

Fixtures - Saturday 4 January

• Basford United vs Eastleigh
• Gainsborough Trinity vs York City
• Rochdale vs Stockton Town