AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor believes his side have been handed a favourable draw in the Emirates FA Cup first round.

The Coasters will welcome National League North side Kidderminster Harriers to Mill Farm on the weekend of November 4th as the club looks to reach the second round of the competition for the first time in their history.

The two clubs will renew rivalries after going head-to-head for the title last season, a battle in which Fylde ultimately came out on top as they secured promotion to the National League.

With most hoping for a glamour tie against a Football League side, Challinor admits he was more than satisfied with the outcome of the draw.

Challinor said: “We can’t be disappointed with the draw. We were talking about it beforehand and making predictions but ultimately there are 80 balls in the draw and you are totally in the lap of the gods. 

“If someone had offered me a home tie against a side in a lower division then I’d absolutely have taken it.

“Granted, we know that Kidderminster are a good side but so are we. We will prepare for the game when it comes around but we still have some massive games coming up in the league and our focus has to be totally on that.”

The Coasters lifted the National League North title with a game to spare last term, leaving Kidderminster facing the lottery of the play-offs, however their numbers didn’t come up and Challinor admits that may add a little ‘extra spice’ to the tie.

“Over the course of a season, the best team wins the league and that was the case last year when we deservedly went up. Overall, Kidderminster were the second best team but they didn’t manage to get up through the play-offs so that was a difficult one for them to take. 

“I suppose that will add a little bit of extra spice to the game. Obviously a few players moved between the two clubs over the summer but I don’t think any left on bad terms so there won’t be any animosity on that front. 

“We are two completely different teams from last year in very different circumstances but the philosophy of the teams won’t have changed. I’m expecting an open game between two teams that will try and play. 

“There is a lot riding on the tie because it’s a one-off game that we will both want to win.”