GATESHEAD'S chairman has vowed not to pressure his friend Colin Todd for ways to topple Town this afternoon.

As well as being chairman of the non-League side, John Gibson is a distinguished football writer in Newcastle.

He knows Town's former manager well but insists he will not be seeking tips on how to beat Town.

"I know Colin has now left Swindon but I would not like to put him in a position where he felt he was being disloyal to a former employer," he said.

The Gateshead chairman said the club had done its 'homework' and watched their opponents last Saturday.

"We are realistic about our chances. We know we are rank outsiders but we don't travel without hope," he said.

Gateshead have already claimed the scalp of one Nationwide side, disposing of Halifax Town in the first round.

Goals from Steve Preen and Paul Dalton were enough to eliminate Paul Bracewell's side at The Shay.

Mr Gibson said: "There were a few shocks in the first round of the FA Cup. There may be some in the second, let's hope that ours is one of them."

The Gateshead chairman is no stranger to FA Cup shocks.

He was present at possibly the most famous upset in cup history.

"I was at Hereford when Newcastle went out of the cup," he said.

"As a Newcastle follower, that was also my worst day in the FA Cup."