FA Cup preview A-M

Rushden hope to stun Seagulls

By Steve Pass   Last updated: 27th November 2009  

FA Cup preview A-M

Poyet: Faces stiff Rushden test

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Accrington v Barnet
Bath City v Forest Green
Bournemouth v Notts County
Brentford v Walsall
Brighton v Rushden & Diamonds
Cambridge v York
Gillingham v Burton Albion
Hereford v Colchester
MK Dons v Exeter

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Giant-killing could be on the cards as Rushden & Diamonds travel to Brighton, while MK Dons attempt to get back to winning ways against Exeter.

High-flying conference side Rushden & Diamonds will travel to the Withdean in confident mood after a run of five wins and a draw from their last six games.

They will fancy their chances against a Brighton side who have lost their last two games following a mini-revival under new boss Gus Poyet.

MK Dons take on Exeter and Brentford face Walsall in two all-League One ties.

Paul Ince's Dons are higher in the division than the Grecians, but they have lost their last three games, while Paul Tisdale's side are in good form, posting three wins and three draws in their last six outings.

Groundhog Day

Fans at Griffin Park could be excused of thinking it is Groundhog Day given the Bees and the Saddlers only played there last Saturday, in a game which finished in a 1-1 draw.

Since then Andy Scott's side have lost at Wycombe while Chris Hutchings' team have beaten Oldham, but it should again be close.

There are also two intriguing League One versus League Two clashes.

The first pitches Gillingham against Burton Albion, who could spring a surprise given they are going well in their first season in League Two, while League Two's Hereford enjoy home advantage but will find it tough against in-form Colchester.

Bournemouth take on big-spending Notts County in an clash of high-flying League Two sides.

Favourites

The league leaders will be many people's favourites to progress given they are unbeaten in four, but the big-spending Magpies have plenty of firepower upfront.

Accrington take on Barnet in another all-League Two clash after Stanley progressed at the expense of Salisbury and the Bees saw off struggling Darlington in round one.

Non-league sides Bath City and Forest Green face each other with the potential prize of drawing a big-boy in the next round up for grabs.

While Blue Square South side Bath are a division below their opponents, they go into the game in a fine run of form, including beating League Two strugglers Grimsby in the last round, while Forest Green have lost their last two games at home.

Conference sides Cambridge United and York City go head-to-head at the Abbey Stadium.

The Minstermen will be favourites for the clash given they have won five on the bounce while the Us have only mustered draws in their last two outings.