Hereford United are hot favourites to pick up a £20,000 cash bonanza and reach the FA Cup first round after being drawn at home to Arlesey Town in the fourth qualifying round, writes Ian Morgan.

The Bedfordshire minnows compete in Division 1 North of the Ryman League and regard the trip to Edgar Street on Saturday, October 26 as one of the biggest games in the club's history, second only to their FA Vase triumph over Oxford City at Wembley in 1995.

The Blues booked their place in the fourth qualifying round - the furthest they have progressed in the FA Cup - with a 2-1 win at Hemel Hempstead Town.

Arlesey have also recorded away victories over St Margaretsbury and Carterton Town in the previous rounds.

Their squad includes the familiar name of former defender Andy Theodosiou, who made 42 Football League appearances for Hereford between August 1991 and December 1992.

Theodosiou, now a midfielder, is presently sidelined through injury. He is remembered by United fans as one of four Hereford players sent off in an astonishing 1-1 draw at Northampton Town in a Third Division match in September 1992.

Of the cup tie, Hereford boss Graham Turner said: "The best we could have hoped for was a home draw against a side from a lower league. We cannot afford any complacency but it gives us a great chance to progress."

Arlesey spokesman Jim Anderson said: "We will be staying overnight and treating the game as our cup final. There is a lot of interest in the village and we will be bringing at least two supporters' coaches."

Meanwhile, former Hereford defender David Titterton, who was also red-carded in that infamous match at Northampton, has been appointed manager of struggling Dr Martens Western Division side Stourport Swifts.