GATESHEAD can only look on enviously as Premiership neighbours Newcastle United pull in gates of more than 50,000.

The Unibond Premier League side are lucky to attract 500 spectators to their home games at Gateshead International Stadium just a few miles from St James' Park.

But everyone connected with the club is hoping they can push their more illustrious neighbours off the back pages by causing a cup shock at the County Ground.

Gateshead are currently mid-table in the Unibond Premier Division, one of the feeder leagues into the Conference.

Once a member of the Football League, the club lost its professional status in 1960 and was replaced by Peterborough United.

Manager Matt Pearson has some way to go if his team are to reach the lofty heights of Division Three once again, but he can call on several players with Football League experience.

Centre half Sam Kitchen has been described by his manager as the 'best centre half in non-League football.'

A no-nonsense player, Kitchen has also played at Doncaster Rovers and Leyton Orient.

A toe injury suffered during Gateshead's game last week may yet scupper his chances of playing against Town, however.

Paul Dalton was one of the Gateshead scorers in the club's

2-0 win at Halifax Town in the first round of the cup.

Dalton enjoyed a particularly productive spell during his days at Huddersfield Town.

The 33-year-old had a brief spell at Manchester United before arriving at Gateshead via Hartlepool United, Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield.

Gateshead player/coach Paul Proudlock is also no stranger to the professional game.

He played with Middlesbrough before taking up his new role at Gateshead.

The non-League side's midfield also includes former Bristol Rovers man Steve Bowey.

The main goal threat is likely to come from Wayne Edgcumbe. The 29-year-old's goal at Marine was his 11th of the season.

Gateshead saw their progress in one competition ended last week when they crashed 2-1 at Marine in the FA Trophy.

Although Town will be hot favourites, the history books show Gateshead are capable of cup shocks.

As a league club they reached the FA Cup quarter finals in 1953 (having beaten Liverpool in the third round) before eventually losing 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton went on to the final where they eventually lost 4-3 to Blackpool in a match which will forever be known as The Matthews Final.