FA Cup preview ahead of big weekend for Salford City, Stockport County & Co

In an all-League Two clash, 15th-placed Ammies host 14th on Saturday (KO 3pm), but the hosts can take confidence from their 2-1 victory over the visitors earlier in the season.

Salford, who were knocked out in the FA Cup first round for the previous two seasons by Peterborough, have reached the second round just three times. Karl Robinson’s side beat Shrewsbury 2-1 at the Peninsula Stadium in the first round.

High-flying Stockport, who are fourth in League One, will be hoping to avoid a cup upset when they host National League north side Brackley Town. But the Northamptonshire-based visitors will take belief from their recent league form, with four wins from their last five, lifting them to eighth in the sixth-tier of English football.

County also come into the game in good form, scoring nine goals in their previous three league games, without conceding. National League Oldham Athletic will be hoping to spring an upset when they travel to League One Leyton Orient, who are 21st.

The Latics are fourth in the fifth division and unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, as they seek to make the third round for the first time since 2020/21. Oldham have FA Cup pedigree, having reached the semi-finals three times, in 1912-13, 1989-90 and 1993-94, losing to Aston Villa and then twice to Manchester United.

In an all-League One clash, 15th-placed Wigan Athletic travel to Cambridge United, who are 22nd, but will take confidence from their 2-0 victory over the Latics last month. Wigan have won their last two league games as they seek to reach the FA Cup third round for the fourth consecutive year. The 2012-13 FA Cup winners were defeated at home 2-0 by eventual winners Manchester United in last year’s third round.

The lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity travel to League Two Harrogate Town. Other seventh-tier sides Kettering Town and Harborough Town face Doncaster Rovers and Reading respectively.