TOWN'S FA Cup first round tie at Accrington Stanley will be screened live by the BBC.

The first-ever meeting between the clubs will have a 1pm kick-off on Sunday, November 9, and will net both clubs a £50,000 bonus from TV coverage.

Accrington secretary Phil Terry confirmed the all-ticket tie will definitely be played at the 4,400-capacity Crown Ground (now called the Interlink Express Stadium) and will not be switched to either the McAlpine or nearby Blackburn Rovers.

Town are delighted to be chosen for live screening against the famous former League club, who are seventh in the Conference and reached the first round by beating Phil Starbuck's Leigh RMI 2-0 in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday (the crowd was 1,350).

McAlpine boss Peter Jackson, whose squad trained yesterday ahead of the Carling Cup trip to Reading, said: "I'm not surprised the BBC want to cover it live and the cash is a big boost for us.

"I was talking to John Motson when the draw was made and we thought it might be a TV game, so we're really looking forward to it and there will be an excellent crowd and atmosphere.

"Accrington are going well and it won't be easy, and we have to be aware that the TV cameras are only coming because they think there might be a shock, so we have to make sure we don't give them a giantkilling story to report.

"The Sunday kick-off is no problem, it gives us a chance to show people what we are about and our fans who can't get tickets can at least watch on TV."

Accrington, who were runaway winners of the UniBond Premier title last season, have ex-Emley man Dean Calcutt on their books and former League players Paul Cook, Andy Gouck, John Durnin and Rory Prendergast.

"The reaction to the draw has been fantastic," said Mr Terry. "At our level, you want an easy draw or a League club and we certainly haven't got both!

"It's great to be on TV and this next couple of weeks will be very busy for us."

Accrington - whose chairman Eric Whalley played for the old League club - were meeting FA officials today about segregation.

All Town's tickets will be for the terrace (numbers are unknown), and capacity may increase before the date of the tie.

Next story