BILLERICAY Town and East Thurrock United have been handed tough away draws in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Town face an away tie at either Harrogate Town or St Albans City in the last 16 - with the replay tonight.

Harrogate are currently second in the National League North, while St Albans are eighth in the National League South.

And Town head coach Harry Wheeler is not concerned with the opponent, although admits a trip to St Albans - where he lives - would be a shorter journey.

“Someone asked me before the draw who I wanted and I really didn’t mind,” said the former St Albans manager. “We would rather play at home but we are unbeaten away this season. There are no easy games.

“The distance puts us off slightly as far as Harrogate is concerned but we will take whatever comes our way.

“I know a lot about St Albans as I was there but if Harrogate win I will have good contacts at St Albans to find out all about them.”

Town visit Wingate & Finchley in the League Cup tonight as they bid to defend their title.

And Wheeler confirmed Jamie O’Hara, Billy Bricknell and Nick Wheeler will feature.

John Coventry’s team will make the 550 mile round trip to National League North side Spennymoor at the start of February.

But while the journey is not what Coventry would have chosen he says he is looking forward to the challenge against the team that upset Solihull Moors at the weekend.

“It is going to be very difficult,” said Coventry. “Whoever we got it was going to be hard.

“I don’t know much about them at all. I know they have not had comfortable wins in their rounds to date but you try and look for the little things when these draws are made.

“They played second from bottom recently and drew 4-4 so I will do my research nearer the time. We will have them watched.”

The ties will be played on Saturday, February 4.