Harborough Town to host Mark Hughes' Carlisle United in humdinger of an FA Trophy clash

The Cumbrians, who are currently third in the National League, are managed by former Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and Wales striker Mark Hughes, and the tie is sure to attract a sell-out crowd.

It is a tough draw for Mitch Austin and his men, who reached the third round with a 3-0 win over National League South side Enfield Town on Saturday.

The Step 1 sides all join the competition at the third round stage, and although it is a tough draw for the Bees, they will be targeting a big upset against one of the competition's big guns.

Relegated from EFL Sky Bet League Two in May, this is only the second time Carlisle have competed in the FA Trophy, with the other occasion following their previous relegation from the league in 2004.

The two clubs have never met, with Carlisle having been a stalwart of the Football League for much of its 121-year existence, while Harborough Town in its current guise was only formed in 2007.

Manager Hughes took over the reins with Carlisle sitting rock-bottom of league two in February, but despite an upturn in form was unable to save the northerners from relegatuion out of the EFL.

A former manager of Wales, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers and Bradford City, Hughes is now striving to guide the Cumbrians to promotion back to league two at the first attempt.

Carlisle were top of the tree until the weekend, when they dropped to third after a 1-1 home draw with Eastleigh. That result allowed Forest Green Rovers to replace them at the top, with Rochdale also winning to go second.

The tie between Harborough and Carlisle is scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 13.