Image source, Ashley Crowden/Shutterstock

The teams finally meet in their second-round tie after a frozen pitch resulted in a postponement 10 days ago.

Since then, Bristol Rovers have appointed Matt Taylor as their new boss and he began his tenure at the League One club with a 1-1 draw at home to bottom-of-the-league Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Not ideal, and with a trip to Bolton Wanderers coming up this weekend advancing in the cup would be a good way for the new man to get up and running.

Crewe lost at Grimsby Town three days ago - their first loss in eight games - but the way they knocked out Derby County in the first round should be a warning against complacency from tonight's opponents.

It is an all League One replay at Vale Park as Port Vale welcome Stevenage after their second-round tie ended 1-1 in the Hertfordshire fog.

Vale ended an 11-game winless streak in the league with a narrow win at Exeter City on Saturday, but the cups have been kinder to them this season.

In a week's time they face Middlesbrough in their first ever EFL Cup quarter-final and all told, tonight is their 12th cup tie of the campaign so far.

Stevenage knocked Unai Emery's Aston Villa out at the third round stage last year and despite manager Steve Evans calling them 'the bad apples' of their division, they continue to upset the apple cart.

Third in the table, they are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions and are making life awkward for anyone who gets in their way.

With Wembley only three stops down the Jubilee Line from The Hive, FA Cup attention this evening centres on Barnet's second-round replay with Newport.

The National League side needed a late equaliser from Danny Collinge to bring the League Two side back to north London.

A tie at home to Eastleigh awaits the winners, and while that may not get the blood pumping, it is a case of opportunity knocks.

Two very winnable ties, with prize money of £172,000, is not to be sniffed at for clubs at this level, and there could be a big team in round four awaiting with all the bells and whistles that entails for either the Bees or the Exiles.

Image source, Matt McNulty/Getty Image

Alfreton and Walsall will share a pitch for the third time in 10 days at the Bescot Stadium tonight, only this time we will have a conclusion.

The first match was postponed only minutes before kick-off with both sides having warmed up as Alfreton's pitch was deemed to be frozen by referee Sam Allison, before reconvening three days later at the Impact Arena for a goalless draw.

In between Walsall returned to winning ways with an impressive 2-1 success away to Notts County, while Alfreton had a weekend off.

We will find out whether the Saddlers' renewed confidence or the non-league side's fresh legs will have a greater say on proceedings.

Image source, George Wood/Getty Images

Fully 28 days since Forest Green thought they had seen off the challenge of National League North side Scarborough in a first-round replay, then the two sides are thrown together for a third time.

The League Two outfit admitted to fielding an ineligible player in the original tie, so the match will be replayed this evening on the North Yorkshire coast.

Blackpool await the winners next Tuesday, with the rearranged fixture to be played to a finish this evening.

Forest Green actually needed a 93rd-minute equaliser from Olly Sully to save their skin in the first game, so Jonathan Greening's team may fancy their chances of a claiming a league scalp.

Image source, Rex Features

Champions League? No, it's all about the money!

Championship? What - another midweek round?

If you are looking for something different, you have come to the right place. It's the FA Cup first and second round with five ties on the menu.

Three non-leaguers seek glory against more fancied opposition, while three games offer the prospect of a potential penalty shootout.

So stick with us. It could be a late one!

First-round replay

Scarborough Athletic v Forest Green Rovers

Second round

Crewe Alexandra v Bristol Rovers

Second-round replay

Barnet v Newport County

Port Vale v Stevenage

Walsall v Alfreton Town