Signing off

We’re wrapping up the blog now so thanks for joining us this morning. To confirm, Chester or Halifax will host Gateshead in the FA Trophy quarter-finals on Saturday, February 27.

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Thoughts on the draw?

Of course the Blues have the matter of Halifax to deal with first but a home draw in the next round is about as good as Chester could have hoped for. Gateshead have improved under Neil Aspin so it’s a tough draw but at this stage of a competition all draws are tough. Let us know your thoughts via Twitter @ChesterFC_Chron.

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Third round date changed

Chester and Halifax have announced the rescheduled third round tie will now take place on Wednesday and not tomorrow as initially planned.

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When are the quarter-finals?

The ties will take place on Saturday , February 27 and winning clubs will receive £8,000 from The FA’s prize fund.

From Chester’s perspective, if the Blues can beat FC Halifax Town then the National League fixture with Tranmere Rovers scheduled for that weekend would have to be moved.

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The draw in full

Nantwich Town or Stourbridge v Dover Athletic or Guiseley

FC Halifax Town or Chester FC v Gateshead

Grimsby Town v Woking

Sutton United or Bognor Regis Town v Torquay United or Macclesfield Town

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And the final one

Sutton United or Bognor Regis Town v Torquay United or Macclesfield Town

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Tough tie

Grimsby Town v Woking

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The Blues

FC Halifax Town or Chester v Gateshead

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First out

Nantwich Town or Stourbridge v Dover Athletic or Guiseley

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About to begin

The draw is about to get underway...

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Reminder of who's in the draw

These are the all important numbers for the quarter-final draw. Who do you fancy? Let us know your thoughts via Twitter @ChesterFC_Chron.

1 Torquay United or Macclesfield Town

2 Grimsby Town

3 Gateshead

4 FC Halifax Town or Chester FC

5 Woking

6 Dover Athletic or Guiseley

7 Sutton United or Bognor Regis Town

8 Nantwich Town or Stourbridge Read

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Burr not best pleased over postponment

Chester boss Steve Burr believes a decision could have been made sooner to postpone Saturday’s FA Trophy game at FC Halifax Town.

The timing of the decision and the fact no inspection had been planned or announced caused widespread frustration for both sets of players and supporters, including many from Chester who were already in Halifax.

Click here to read the manager’s thoughts in full.

The waterlogged pitch at the Shay Stadium which led to the FA Trophy tie being postponed
The waterlogged pitch at the Shay Stadium which led to the FA Trophy tie being postponed
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Bookies make Mariners the favourites

Reckon the Blues can go all the way and win the FA Trophy

You can get a best priced 20/1 with Bet Victor on Steve Burr’s men lifting the prize at Wembley while Betway have them at 14s.

Grimsby Town, who brushed past Havant & Waterlooville in the third round, are the favourites. Here’s the full market with Bet Victor odds:

Grimsby Town 11/4

Woking 4/1

Dover, Gateshead 8/1

Halifax, Macclesfield, Torquay 12/1

Guiseley 14/1

Chester, Sutton 20/1

Wealdstone 150/1

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Rain stopped play

I’m sure you don’t need or want reminding what happened on Saturday but let’s do it anyway. The third round tie between the Blues and Halifax was postponed less than two hours before kick-off because of a waterlogged pitch. It was a farce in truth and a real wasted trip for the players and most of all the fans who made the journey to West Yorkshire.

Click here for the official confirmation just in case you woke up in an alternative reality where the game went ahead and Jon Worsnop scored a 93rd minute winner.

A waterlogged pitch at the Shay Stadium led to Chester's FA Trophy game with Halifax being postponed
A waterlogged pitch at the Shay Stadium led to Chester's FA Trophy game with Halifax being postponed
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Getting ready at Wembley

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Guide to the draw

The draw for the FA Trophy quarter-finals is scheduled to take place from 11am at Wembley Stadium in London.

The ties will be pulled out by FA Trophy committee chairman Phil Smith and here’s a list of who is in the draw and the ball numbers:

1 Torquay United or Macclesfield Town

2 Grimsby Town

3 Gateshead

4 FC Halifax Town or Chester FC

5 Woking

6 Dover Athletic or Guiseley

7 Sutton United or Bognor Regis Town

8 Nantwich Town or Stourbridge Read

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Welcome

Good morning and welcome to The Chronicle’s live coverage of the FA Trophy quarter-final draw.

The weekend was a washout as far as Chester fans were concerned and the Blues will be keeping an eye on the weather ahead of tomorrow night’s rescheduled third round tie at FC Halifax Town.

The draw is being made at Wembley this morning so stick with us for the best build-up and reaction. You can get involved and let us know your thoughts via Twitter @ChesterFC_Chron.

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