YORK City have been handed the toughest possible draw in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, facing Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians are currently second in the Nationwide Conference table behind Barnet and were, therefore, the highest-placed team City could be pitted against in today's regionalised draw made at the FA's headquarters.

Financially though, the match is the best City could have hoped for with Carlisle comfortably boasting the biggest attendances ever seen in non-League football.

A total of 9,215 saw Paul Simpson's men lose their unbeaten record to Barnet on Saturday and a bumper crowd is inevitable for the October 30 clash with the Minstermen.

City will split the gate receipts equally with their hosts, while the winners of the match would also pocket £10,000.

City finance director Terry Doyle told the Evening Press: "From a football perspective, it's a very tough draw. However, if we get a result there it would undoubtedly kick-start what we would hope to be an FA Cup run.

"Wearing a financial hat, I have to have a smile on my face but would clearly welcome a win as well."

Both clubs were relegated together from the Football League last season but Carlisle have adapted to Conference life better than the Minstermen.

If the tie is replayed, the two clubs would meet three times in four weeks with the Bootham Crescent league clash scheduled for Saturday, November 27.

The return fixture will be on Saturday, February 26.

City last travelled to Brunton Park for an FA Cup clash on November 16, 1963, losing 3-2 in the first round despite a Norman Wilkinson brace.

Carlisle are likely to include former City left-back Tom Cowan in the centre of defence.

Scarborough - FA Cup heroes against Chelsea last season - have also been drawn away to Conference North club Lancaster City.

Besides the Carlisle-City duel, there are three other all-Conference ties - Accrington Stanley v Leigh RMI, Barnet v Farnborough, and Dagenham & Redbridge v Crawley Town.

Updated: 16:29 Monday, October 18, 2004