Widnes will bid to reach the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time tomorrow but standing in their way is higher-ranked Whitby Town.

The Whites reached the first qualifying round with a dramatic 3-2 win at Mossley in a preliminary round replay on Tuesday, with Conor Ready netting a 93rd minute equaliser after the nine-man hosts had seemingly forced extra time with an Adam Morgan strike less than two minutes beforehand.

They were rewarded with a tie at home to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Whitby, fresh off a 2-0 ‘El Coastico’ derby victory over Scarborough in midweek, in front of 1,038 spectators.

Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey’s side will be buoyant following Tuesday’s replay win, but Whitby will provide one of the toughest tests of any ties in the first qualifying round.

Chris Hardy’s Seasiders sit second in the Premier Division after six games – one point behind leaders Matlock Town. Whitby are the longest-serving members of the Northern Premier League, and previously reached the proper rounds of the FA Cup back in 2003-04, losing 4-0 to Hartlepool United.

But Hardy’s men have only progressed past the first qualifying round once in the past six seasons, reaching the second qualifying round in the 2016-17 season before losing out to Spennymoor Town.

In three of those six seasons, Whitby have lost out to lower-ranked opposition which could bold well for Division One North/West side Widnes, with the Seasiders losing at Step 6 side Whitley Bay last season.

Widnes have no new injury concerns for the visit of Whitby. Jay Roberts is still unavailable with Danny Ventre expected to keep his place at right-back.

Elsewhere, Lewis Buckley recovered from a slight knock to feature in Tuesday’s win at Mossley, while Towey and Mike Burke are set to keep their places on the bench.

The reward for the winners is £4,500, while all clubs are at least guaranteed £1,500 – the fee awarded to the losers.

The second qualifying round draw takes place on Monday (9th September) at 1:00pm, and should the scoreline be level after 90 minutes today, Widnes will travel to Whitby’s Turnbull Ground for a replay on Tuesday (10th September).