VERWOOD Town have been presented with a tough assignment in the FA Vase after being handed an away tie at St Austell in the third round.

The Potters were paired against the South West Peninsula League Premier Division high-fliers from Cornwall in yesterday’s draw.

Verwood booked a place in the last 64 following a thrilling 5-4 victory over Plymouth Parkway at Potterne Park on Saturday.

St Austell, who are currently fourth and two places above Parkway, earned their ticket to the third round after claiming a 3-2 extra-time victory at Sydenhams Premier outfit Folland Sports.

Verwood face an arduous 330-mile round trip to St Austell’s Poltair Park on Saturday, December 6 when the teams will duel for a place in the fourth round and £1,500 in prize money.

St Austell have won 14 games on the trot since losing 3-2 against Wimborne Town in the preliminary round of the FA Cup at the end of September.

Verwood return to league action tonight when they travel to Fareham, while Ringwood host Alresford in the Wessex League Cup (both 7.45pm).

Wimborne will be hoping to get their Southern League play-off push back on track when they entertain Division One South & West strugglers Fleet Town (7.45pm).

Magpies’ impressive six-match winning run, which had included taking them to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, came to an abrupt end following a 5-1 defeat at Didcot on Saturday.

Boss Steve Cuss has named an unchanged squad for the visit of Fleet to Cuthbury as 10th-placed Wimborne look to close the gap on the pacesetters.

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Costello, Biles, Maybury, Oliver, Blake, Stokoe, Webb, Kemble, Davidson, Gamble, Arnold, Griffin, Lupton, Brimson, Field.