Football League new boys Burton Albion face a difficult away trip to Coca-Cola Championship club Reading following the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup today.
Albion were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history after being crowned Blue Square Premier champions.
New Burton manager Paul Peschisolido, who was appointed last month, described the draw as “fantastic” for the midlands club as they come up against a Royals side that reached the Championship play-offs last term.
“It is wonderful for the club and for the players to make a name for themselves,” he told Sky Sports News.
“It’s a fantastic draw. A lot of my players haven’t even had an opportunity to play in the League so this will be a good chance to show what they can do.”
Torquay, who followed Burton into the Football League, also face Championship opposition after they were drawn away to Crystal Palace.
Relegated West Brom, who were the top seeds in the regionalised draw, face a tricky tie away to Bury, who reached the League Two play-offs last term.
Cash-strapped Darlington, who are due to come out of administration this summer, were handed further good news with a potentially money-spinning home tie against Leeds United.
Ties will be played the week commencing August 10.
1 SOCCER Carling Cup Draw
The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup is as follows:-
Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Huddersfield v Stockport
Rotherham v Derby
Tranmere v Grimsby
Sheff Weds v Rochdale
Bury v West Brom
Notts County v Doncaster
Lincoln v Barnsley
Scunthorpe v Chesterfield
Coventry v Hartlepool
Darlington v Leeds
Preston v Morecambe
Crewe v Blackpool
Carlisle v Oldham
Nottm Forest v Bradford
Macclesfield v Leicester
Sheff Utd v Port Vale
Cardiff v Dag & Red
Wycombe v Peterborough
Southampton v Northampton
Barnet v Watford
Hereford v Charlton
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot
Millwall v Bournemouth
Gillingham v Plymouth
Colchester v Leyton Orient
Reading v Burton Albion
Exeter v QPR
Cheltenham v Southend
Brentford v Bristol City
Yeovil v Norwich
Crystal Palace v Torquay
MK Dons v Swindon
Swansea v Brighton
Shrewsbury v Ipswich
Ties to be played week commencing 10th August