South Shields FC gearing up for one of the biggest games in recent history as FC Halifax Town stand in way of FA Cup first round

National League side FC Halifax Town are the visitors to 1st Cloud Arena for a fourth qualifying round tie which would usually be expected to attract a gate well in excess of 2,000.

However, current restrictions dictate that only 300 supporters will be in attendance, with the others only able to watch the potentially historic occasion via a live stream.

Halifax reached the National League play-offs last season and are sure to provide a stern test of Shields' credentials.

The Mariners are full of motivation, though, to go one step further than they did three years ago, when they fell to Hartlepool United at the same stage.

Despite the lack of a large home crowd being on hand to roar Shields on, joint manager Graham Fenton insists motivation will be no issue for his side in tomorrow's game.

He said: "It's hugely disappointing that 1st Cloud Arena won't be packed to the rafters with home and away supporters, because it would have been a tremendous occasion for everyone to be involved in.

"Nevertheless, we are still hugely looking forward to this game and challenge, because it's still the FA Cup and we want to go as far as possible in it.

"Not so long ago, we had the big disappointment of being beaten by Hartlepool United at this stage and we still carry some regrets about that match.

"There's still a handful of players within our squad who will remember that occasion vividly and will want to go at least one step further.

"Those disappointing occasions in football only make you more determined when the next opportunity arises to go one better, and we'll be giving it everything we've got to achieve that goal."

Shields go into the tie having drawn 0-0 with local rivals Morpeth in midweek, and lost 1-0 at home to Matlock Town last Saturday.

Fenton, though, has been pleased with recent performances and has called for the Mariners to stick to their principles against Halifax.

He added: "Looking back across the last three games, we feel the performances have been stronger than the results have shown.

"We could have won in normal time based on our second half display at Southport and our performance across the whole game against Matlock - when we had 17 attempts at goal to their three - made it hugely disappointing to lose 1-0, but football can be cruel at times and that was one of those occasions.

"We believe we did enough against Morpeth to earn all three points because of the chances we created, but it wasn't to be.

"We are pleased with how the players have performed over those games but it will also be great to welcome some of the injured lads back at some point."

Shields remain without Luke Daly and Nathan Lowe, although both are progressing well in their recovery from knee injuries.

Captain Jon Shaw is a doubt for the 3pm kick-off against his former side.

Tickets for the match are sold out but a live stream is available at bit.ly/35ixDF0